Mathematical Investigation

Halving

How many different ways can you cut this shape in half!

3x4 grid

What if the shape is a 3 x 3 grid? A different size?

[See also Fraction Dissect]

Investigate further.....

Investigations Home

Teachers: How have you used this resource? Do you have ideas on how other teachers could present, adapt, or build upon it? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Your feedback is invaluable in helping me improve this free resource and making it even more beneficial for learners around the world. Please Click here to enter your comments.

A mathematical investigation is quite different to other mathematical activities. The best investigations are open ended and allow students to choose the way they work and how they record their findings. It is one of the few occasions when 'going off on a tangent' is not only acceptable but actively encouraged (within reason).

Students may ask for 'the answers' but this supposes that the activity is closed. Investigations can always be extended by varying the initial instructions or asking the question 'what if...?'. Sometimes students point out that the instructions are ambiguous and can be interpreted in different ways. This is fine and the students are encouraged to explain how they interpreted the instructions in their report.

Some students may benefit from a writing frame when producing the reports of their investigations. Teachers may suggest sections or headings such as Introduction, Interpretation, Research, Working and Conclusion or something similar.

Here are some other activities you may be interested in:

Featured Activity

Remainder Race

Remainder Race

A brilliant game involving chance and choice requiring an ability to calculate the remainder when a two digit number is divided by a single digit number. There are one and two player versions and the rules are inspired by the Royal Game of Ur.

Suggested

Remainder Race

Remainder Race

A game involving chance and choice requiring an ability to calculate the remainder when a two digit number is divided by a single digit number.

The short web address is:

Transum.org/go/?to=remainder

Recently Updated

Snail Race

Snail Race

A race between 12 snails. Which snail is most likely to win? This is the students' version of the race simulation. So far this activity has been accessed 207703 times and 1136 Transum Trophies have been awarded for completing it.

Teacher's notes for this investigation and solutions to Transum puzzles, exercises and activities are available when you are signed in to your Transum subscription account. If you do not yet have an account and you are a teacher, tutor or parent you can apply for one by completing the form on the Sign Up page.

A Transum subscription also gives you access to the 'Class Admin' student management system, downloadable worksheets, many more teaching resources and opens up ad-free access to the Transum website for you and your pupils.

Transum.org is a proud supporter of the kidSAFE Seal Program