Balancing numbers 3

[No sound in the beginning. 3 yellow hexagons are added to the left hand side of the scale. 2 red trapeziums are added to the right hand side of the scale.]

So how many trapeziums of the red shapes are needed to balance the hexagons, the yellow shapes? Write an estimate that's way too high, then write an estimate that's way too low, and then write an estimate that's reasonable.

Over to you.

[No sound in the beginning. 3 yellow hexagons are added to the left hand side of the scale. 6 red trapeziums are added to the right hand side of the scale. The scale balances.]

Hmm, so three hexagons have the same mass as six trapeziums. What's another way I could prove they have equivalence? What do you notice here?

Ah that looks like an interesting idea, for each hexagon I need 2 trapeziums I think. So I think I need six trapeziums to cover the area of the three hexagons.

What do you think? Can you draw a picture to share your thinking? Over to you.

[No sound in the beginning. 3 yellow hexagons are laid out flat on the table. Red trapeziums are laid on top of the yellow hexagons.]

Yeah, six trapeziums are needed to cover the area of three hexagons. For each hexagon, I need two trapeziums. Fancy a sweaty brain challenge? Of course you do!

Keep watching.

[No sound. Small green triangles are placed on top of one of the red trapeziums. 3 green triangles are needed to cover one red trapezium.]

So, how many triangles are needed to cover the area of three hexagons? You might like to make a model, if you have some shapes, and definitely draw a picture to share your thinking.

Over to you mathematicians.