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Sticky Triangles

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
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I used three lolly sticks to make one small triangle: 


I added more lolly sticks to make four small triangles:

How many lolly sticks have I used altogether now?

I decided to add another 'row' of small triangles. 
Can you picture in your head what this will look like?
How many small triangles will there be?
How many lolly sticks will I have used in total?

Once you have had a think, you might like to check by making the pattern yourself, or by sketching it. 
You could click below to see what my pattern looked like.


I carried on adding rows of small triangles, and I found many patterns.

Have a go yourself! You could use lolly sticks or straws or..., or you could draw lines.

Can you describe any patterns that you find? 
Can you predict how the pattern will carry on?
Why does the pattern occur?
Will the pattern continue for ever? How do you know?

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Exploring Wild & Wonderful Number Patterns

EWWNP means Exploring Wild and Wonderful Number Patterns Created by Yourself! Investigate what happens if we create number patterns using some simple rules.

Magazines

Let's suppose that you are going to have a magazine which has 16 pages of A5 size. Can you find some different ways to make these pages? Investigate the pattern for each if you number the pages.

Pebbles

Place four pebbles on the sand in the form of a square. Keep adding as few pebbles as necessary to double the area. How many extra pebbles are added each time?

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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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