Why do this problem?

This problem will encourage learners to visualise and memorise shapes, and then put into words what they see.

Key questions

Can you describe the picture?
What shapes was it made up of?
How would you go about drawing it?
How many squares/triangles do you think there were?

Possible extension

Learners could create their own diagram for others to try in the same way.

Possible support

It may be useful for some children to have copies of the diagrams on this sheet. Some learners may find it very difficult to picture the diagram in their 'mind's eye' so you could suggest they copy the picture instead.