Maths help for parents of children aged 5 to 11
Our first ‘One to Nine’ puzzle proved to be very popular so here is another. Aimed at upper juniors, (9-11 yr old) there are a few points to consider when getting started with these puzzles.
Firstly, the rules of Bodmas do not apply; the sentence is calculated in the order shown.
Secondly, each digit can only be used once.
Thirdly, if looking at a sentence such as a x b – c = 51, a x b can only be a maximum of 60 as the largest number to subtract is 9.
Here is a tricky little puzzle which is aimed at Year 6 or upper juniors (9/11). Ideal for wet breaks!
Using just the digits 1 to 9 complete the number sentences, both across and down, so that they are all correct.
A good knowledge of tables is needed, together with the ability to add and subtract mentally.
The hardest part of this puzzle is getting started and the best approach is to use trial and improvement by picking one row or column which can only have a limited number of possibilities. This might well not be the first row across or column down.
Looking at this particular puzzle the first row is a x b – c = 34. Start by looking at combinations of numbers that when multiplied make more than 34 (but not more than 43 as the maximum to subtract is 9) and then see which number can be subtracted to leave 34.
Here is a little word search to help children recognise and use the vocabulary expected of them in Year 1 to do with ordering and place value.
The words are:
more, less, plus, double, altogether, subtract, take, minus, half, difference and equals.
This is quite a difficult set of terms for children of this age (5/6 years old).
All the words on the wordsearch are either straight across or straight down – no diagonals.