investigation | Maths Blog

Resource of the Week: Year 3 maths investigation

In year 3 children are expected to be able to solve problems involving numbers, follow a line of enquiry, identify patterns and organise information. Investigations are a great way to do this as well as developing logical thinking.
This is a fun investigation for children from Year 3 upwards (7+ yrs) which encourages children to organise their thoughts as there are enough different answers to make it interesting. It is also excellent for adding several small numbers.

The task is simple:
Put in the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the squares on the grid so that the total across is the same as the total going down.
Children will probably start this mini investigation with a lot of ‘trial and improvement’ and then come up with some correct solutions.

To make it easier there is also a print-out of large numbers which can be cut out to help children move the numbers about without having to write down everything they do. I would recommend this approach for any similar activity, such as magic squares.

After a while some key aspects to the logical thinking behind this may arise, including:
1. Add up the total of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. It comes to 10.
2. This means that if the total across and the total down are equal and the corner number is zero, they must both add up to 5.
3. By working methodically with zero in the corner 8 arrangements can be found.

Investigation: across and down

Year 3 maths worksheet: Make 12 investigation

Here we have a rather nice number investigation for Year 3. Using exactly 5 of the cards, how many ways can 12 be made?

It is probably a good idea to cut out the cards, or make your own, to make it much easier to move the numbers around to make the number sentences.

As with all investigations look out for a logical, well ordered method, although at the beginning most children will work in a random fashion (as will most adults.) Once it is clear that there are a number of 2-digit subtractions that can be done it is important to show them in some logical way so that it can be seen that all possible combinations have been covered.

Rules can be changed or adapted: one of the first questions which might come up is ‘Can I use the cards twice?’ In the case of adding three single digits the plus sign needs to be used twice, but children can make their own rules for this.

Make 12 investigation

Year 1 Investigation: Snowflake numbers

Still chilly outside so a little ‘snowflake’ number investigation suitable for Year 1 children (5-6 yrs old). Given the numbers 1, 3 5 and 7 what addition sums can be made? Encourage working in a logical way.

The second question asks how many different answers can be made when subtracting. There are less possible different subtraction answers than addition.

Snowflake number investigation

Year 3 Maths Investigation: Across and Down

Investigations are a great way to develop logical thinking and improve systematic lines of enquiry.
This is a fun investigation for children from Year 3 upwards (7+ yrs). The task is:
Put in the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the squares on the grid so that the total across is the same as the total going down.
Children will probably start this mini investigation with a lot of ‘trial and improvement’ and then come up with some correct solutions.
There are several key aspects to the logical thinking behind this, including:
1. Add up the total of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4. It comes to 10.
2. This means that if the total across and the total down are equal and the corner number is zero, they must both add up to 5.
3. By working methodically with zero in the corner 8 arrangements can be found.

There is also a print-out of large numbers which can be cut out to help children move the numbers about without having to write down everything they do.

Investigation: across and down