Semester 1 Topic 2 Level G – Ignite Mathematics

Task Name : Factors and Multiples Puzzle		Task Level : G (Grade 6)
Semester : 1	Topic : Factors and Multiples		VC Strand : Number and Place Value
Web Address : http://maths.crusoecollege.vic.edu.au/npvG
Equipment Needed : Laminated puzzle pieces
Victorian Curriculum outcome : Identify and describe properties of prime, composite, square and triangular numbers
Task description : Students need to complete the puzzle by placing 25 numbers in a 5 by 5 grid. Each number must meet two conditions – the heading the student places on the column, and the heading the student places on the row. Students must be familiar with the following concepts to be able to complete the puzzle: square numbers, triangular numbers, factors, multiples, even and odd numbers, greater than and less than. Once students complete the puzzle, they should write 25 sentences explaining why they were able to place each piece in that particular position, for example “15 is a multiple of 60 because 15×4=60; 15 is also a triangular number because 1+2+3+4+5=15”.
Assessment options : Photograph of completed puzzle. Explanation could be done by adding text to the photo in the blog post, or photographed from their book, or through screencasting.
Teacher notes : This is a challenging puzzle! Don’t let them struggle too long, because you are interested in their ability to explain the properties of the numbers. After a session, if they haven’t got it, give them the column and row headings. Where the column and row go make for interesting conversations too – if I place odd numbers as a row and even numbers as a column, that means one number must be BOTH odd and even – is that possible? Are there other combinations of headings that won’t work together? The task is from the nrich website, and the solution can be found here:
Downloads : Factors and Multiples Puzzle