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More Plant Spaces

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star
  • Problem
  • Teachers' Resources

This activity has been particularly created as a possible follow-on to More Children and Plants.

Here we look at similar problems of distributing a certain number of items across a larger number of sets, each needing a particular number of items.

So, set yourself a challenge like;
 

"Distribute 15 objects among four sets having 3 in one, 4 in another, 5 in another and 6 in the last."

Then take this further by having five sets with the extra set having just 1 object.

You'll be able to think of your own examples too.

Perhaps most important is to formulate some generalisations that can be tested.

One of the interesting and creative parts of this challenge may be to design the arrangement of sets. Here are some examples to start you off, two for each of four and five sets.
 



If you want a start to see one solution click "show"

If you want to see a solution for 5 sets 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 using 12, click "show"

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Three children are going to buy some plants for their birthdays. They will plant them within circular paths. How could they do this?

Junior Frogs

Have a go at this well-known challenge. Can you swap the frogs and toads in as few slides and jumps as possible?

More Children and Plants

This challenge extends the Plants investigation so now four or more children are involved.

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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