| Task Name : Matchstick Maths | Task Level : E (Grade 4) | ||
| Semester : 1 | Topic : Introducing Algebra | VC Strand : Patterns and Algebra | |
| Web Address : http://maths.crusoecollege.vic.edu.au/paE | |||
| Equipment Needed : A handful of matchsticks for each student | |||
| Victorian Curriculum outcome : Explore and describe number patterns resulting from performing multiplication | |||
| Task description : Students investigate the relationship between certain shapes and the number of matchsticks needed to create them: the patterns can be found at the web address for the task. Students must draw up a table with two columns: the number of shapes (eg stars, boxes, etc) and the number of matchsticks. They need to try and find the rule for each shape, for example, “the number of matches is the number of boxes times three plus one”. | |||
| Assessment options : Photograph of handwritten table or digital equivalent; photograph of matchstick patterns. | |||
| Teacher notes : The two variables the students need to find a relationship between can be confusing: for example, one shape involves relating arm length to matches. Be explicit with each shape as to what are the things that need to be counted. | |||
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Downloads : Matchstick Maths Introduction Interactive: Function machine |
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