Number & Place Value

"Get the Buzz! Problem Solving for Key Stage 2" offers a variety of intriguing mathematical challenges designed to engage children and enhance their problem-solving skills. One task, titled "Dog Bowls," encourages students to distribute 28 dog biscuits across three bowls in a manner where each bowl contains double the amount of the previous one. In another scenario, the children are tasked with using four bowls, with each subsequent bowl holding two more biscuits than the last. The exercises also invite students to explore different configurations, such as arranging five bowls so that four contain a distinct odd number of biscuits. The goal is to stimulate critical thinking by asking if a different total number of biscuits could be used to satisfy the same conditions.

Another set of problems titled "Gifts" delves into the concepts of place value, addition, and subtraction. Here, students must calculate the total cost of six gift tokens, valued at either £10 or £15, and determine the remaining value after giving two tokens away. The challenge is extended by altering the token values to £20 and £25, prompting learners to reassess their calculations. These activities are thoughtfully designed to help children understand the practical applications of mathematics in everyday scenarios, such as budgeting and gift-giving, while reinforcing their grasp of fundamental numerical operations.