2908
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2011-02-01T00:00:01
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I made a chair from interlocking cubes. It looked a bit like
this:<br></br>
<br></br>
<div style="text-align: center;"><mdo:image width="200" height="417" src="Chair.gif" alt="chair from multilink"></mdo:image></div>
<br></br>
<br></br>
Can you make a chair too? It need not be the same as mine.<br></br>
<br></br>
Now can you make a table to go with your chair? <br></br>
<br></br>
When you have done that you could try making chairs for the Three
Bears: a big chair, a middle-sized one and small one. <br></br>
<br></br>
Please send us photos of your chairs and tables if you can.<br></br>
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<p class="editorial">Maisy sent us a photo of her fantastic chairs
and tables:</p>
<br></br>
<br></br>
<mdo:image width="500" height="310" src="maisy.jpg" alt="maisy's chairs and tables"></mdo:image><br></br>
<br></br>
<p class="editorial">Thank you, Maisy. It is very clear how you
have changed the number of cubes to make the different sizes. Well
done.</p>
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<h2>Chairs and Tables</h2>
<br></br>
I made a chair from interlocking cubes. It looked a bit like this:<br></br>
<br></br>
<div style="text-align: center;"><mdo:image alt="chair from multilink" height="417" src="Chair.gif" width="200"></mdo:image></div>
<br></br>
<br></br>
Can you make a chair too? It need not be the same as mine.<br></br>
<br></br>
Now can you make a table to go with your chair?<br></br>
<br></br>
When you have done that you could try making chairs for the Three Bears: a big chair, a middle-sized one and small one.<br></br>
<br></br>
Please send us photos of your chairs and tables if you can.<br></br>
</div>
<br></br>
<h3><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why do this problem?</span></h3>
Although <a href="http://nrich.maths.org/public/viewer.php?obj_id=2908&part=index">this problem</a> sounds straightforward, children will find the matter of scaling the table to match the chair quite a challenge. Tackling this will help to develop children's spatial awareness and it is a great opportunity to encourage discussion among the class or group.<br></br>
<h3>Possible approach</h3>
<div>A hands-on approach is absolutely necessary for this problem. You could start by making a chair from interlocking cubes yourself and showing the group, and then challenging them to make one of their own. (Do not make a chair that looks too good -some children find this discouraging!) You might like to put your chair somewhere it can be seen easily so children can refer to it as they build
their own. Alternatively, you may decide to hide it at first to see how learners get on.</div>
<br></br>
Children could then work in pairs or small groups to make a chair and a table under which the chair will fit. This should promote much discussion about space and shape. At the end the whole group could come together to see each other's handiwork.
<h3>Key questions</h3>
<div>How many cubes have you used for that leg of the chair?</div>
<div>How many cubes will you use for the seat of the chair?</div>
Does your chair fit under the table with enough space for someone to sit down?
<h3>Possible extension</h3>
Making three chairs and three tables should prove extension enough! If more is needed, you could challenge the children to draw what they have done.<br></br>
<h3>Possible support</h3>
You could encourage those who are struggling by asking them to make the legs first and then a seat for them fit into. Finally, they could put a back onto this "stool".<br></br>
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Remember your chair must fit neatly under the table with enough
space for an imaginary "person" to sit down.<br></br>
Have you counted how many cubes you used for each leg of the chair?
Might this help?<br></br>
How about counting the number of cubes along the seat of your
chair?<br></br></mdoxml>
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Chairs and Tables
Make a chair and table out of interlocking cubes, making sure that
the chair fits under the table!
Sequences, Functions and Graphs
Sequences
Mathematics Tools
Interlocking cubes
Using, Applying and Reasoning about Mathematics
Practical Activity
Admin
Lower primary mapping document