It's time to get magical!

Collect resources

You will need:

  • pencils or markers
  • your mathematics workbook
  • the number grid.
Let's get magical grid. a grid with 4 rows and 4 columns with the numbers 1-16 placed in each box. Top row numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4 2nd row: 5, 6, 7, 8 3rd row: 9, 10, 11, 12 bottom row: 13, 14, 15, 16

Instructions

  • Choose any number on the grid.
  • Write it down.
  • Write down a second number… BUT… it has to be a different row and different column to your first number.
  • Record a third number… it has to be a different row and different column to your first two numbers.
  • Write down a fourth number… it has to be a different row and different column to your first three numbers.

Check out my magic

I know that your sum is....34!!!!

Are you asking "How did you do that?"

Investigating the magic

We found out that:

  • 34 = 1 + 6 + 11 + 16; and
  • 34 = 13 + 12 + 6 + 3

Now we wonder... is the sum always 34?

2 Let’s get magical grids. The first one has 1, 6, 11 and 16 marked. The second has 3, 6, 12 and 13 marked.

Your turn to investigate

Mathematicians think logically when solving problems. You could use this by testing out a number of different options, for example, you could test what the sum is when you combine these quantities:

  • 1, 6, 11, 16
  • 1, 6, 12, 15
  • 1, 7, 10, 16
  • 1, 7, 12, 14
  • 1, 8, 10, 15
  • 1, 8, 11, 14

Share / submit

Share your work with your class on your digital platform.

You may like to:​

  • share your discoveries
  • write comments​
  • share pictures of your work​
  • comment on the work of others.