Category Archives: Maths Problems

Maths Problems, Numeracy and Mathematics

Maths Puzzle for the Weekend – Magic Mental Maths!

Can you explain how these tricks work?
Can you make up you own similar trick?

For a real challenge – can you use algebra to explain how these tricks work?

 

 

Try each set of instructions at least two or three times with different numbers. Notice what answer you get each time.

1. Think of a number
2. Add 4 to it Add 7 to it Add 5 to it
3. Double the result Multiply the answer by 3 Multiply the answer by 4
4. Take away 6 Subtract 9 Subtract 8
5. Halve the result Divide the answer by 3 Divide the answer by 4
6. Subtract the number you first thought of
7. WHAT DO YOU GET?
8. Now try again with other numbers and see what you get
Maths Problems

Maths Problem for the Weekend (6) – Winter Breaks!

Five men from different parts of the country each chose to go on a winter-sports holiday in a different area (one went to the Swiss Alps). Whilst skiing there, each had an accident in which he suffered a fracture of a different part of his anatomy.

From the clues given below, can you work out who lives in which town, where he went for his holiday and what he broke?

Puzzle Image

  1. One man broke his collarbone in the Austrian Alps.
  2. The man from Stirling did not break an arm; he is not Gerry, who did not break a leg.
  3. Roger did not spend his holiday in the Cairngorms.
  4. Bob’s hometown is Aberdeen; he did not break his collarbone during his holiday.
  5. Michael is not from Glasgow; his skiing holiday came to an abrupt conclusion when he fell and broke his right arm.
  6. The man from Edinburgh went to the Italian Alps for his winter holiday.
  7. Donald was the man who spent his holiday in the French Alps; his injury was not to the left side of his body.
  8. The man who broke his left leg was from Busby.

You could use a chart like this to help:

Name Hometown Holiday Area Broken Part
       
       
       
       
       
Maths Problems

Maths Problem for the Weekend (5) – Dress the Elf!

Mrs Claus made four of the workshop elves new suits for Christmas.
Each suit had matching trousers, boots, jacket and hat.
  • one suit was all red
  • one was all green
  • one was all yellow
  • one was all blue

The elves were delighted with their presents, but decided it would be fun to wear a different outfit every day for as many days as possible. So they agreed to swap around parts of their suits until they ran out of new combinations.

How many days did their fun last?
 
Your could print off this picture to help you solve the problem.
 
Maths Problems, Uncategorized

Maths Problem for the Weekend (3): Scottish Culture Week

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Paw Broon has won the Postcode lottery! Hooray!

He spent two thirds of his winnings on a baronial Highland castle.

He spent two thirds of what he had left  on a luxury yacht so he could take the family on a tour of the Scottish Islands and sea lochs.

Then he spent two thirds of what he had left on funding a scientific expedition to locate the Loch Ness Monster.

He spent his final £20,000 on treating Maw Broon to a week at Skibo Castle.

How much did Paw Broon win on the lottery?