Paul's basketball challenge

Basketball toss follow up

Instructions

This graph shows the number of baskets Paul scored when he was playing basketball toss with his sister.

graph shows the number of baskets Paul scored when he was playing basketball toss with his sister. In the column graph one ball represents 2 baskets. The graph displays right hand, 4 and 1/2 balls. Left hand 2 and 1/2 balls. Eyes closed one and 1/2 balls. Backwards 1 ball. How many points did Paul score in total? Options a) 9 and a half b)19 c)16 d)8

Discussion

  • Paul decided that he wanted to improve his score and beat his sister the next time they played. He spent a lot of time practising using his left hand, playing backwards and with his eyes closed.

  • When he competed against his sister the next time, his efforts had worked! He had improved his score and he beat his sister! He scored 33 baskets. Paul had the same success with his right hand and improved by 1 with his eyes closed.

  • How many baskets might he have scored with his left hand and backwards? What are all the possibilities?