Mathematical Investigation

Area Shapes

Investigate polygons with a areas of 4 square units.

Hexagon Trapezium Hexagon

You could use a dotty grid.

Investigate polygons with other areas.

[See also Area Two and Quad Areas]

Investigate further.....

Investigations Home

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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:

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ChristMaths

Christmas activities make those December Maths lessons interesting, exciting and relevant. If students have access to computers there are some online activities to keep them engaged such as Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Light Up.

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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

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Twelve Days

Twelve Days

How many gifts did my true love send to me according to the traditional Christmas song 'Twelve Days of Christmas'. So far this activity has been accessed 31745 times and 353 Transum Trophies have been awarded for completing it.

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