Sam and Holly's problem

Sam and Holly were playing with combinations of numbers that make 10. They started by getting out 10 blocks.

10 blocks organised in 2 rows of 5 (like a 10 frame)

Then, Sam covered some of the blocks and Holly had to work out how many were missing.

Some of the 10 blocks have been covered up by a mug. The uncovered blocks are all in a bunch.

Holly decided she to organise what she could see to help her work out what was missing.

The uncovered blocks are now organised with one row of 5 and the next row has 2.

She imaged a 10-frame in her head and organised the blocks. This helped her see she needed 3 more to make 10.

Holly and Sam kept taking turns like this until Holly asked Sam if they could make it more challenging for them...

Sam made this for Holly to think about:

There are 2 mugs covering some blocks. 3 are visible.

Instructions

  • Can you help Holly work out how many blocks are hidden?
  • Can you help her work out how many of the hidden blocks might be underneath each cup?
  • What are all the possibilities? Record your thinking.

Discuss

Reflection

  • What are possibilities did you find?
  • Could you work out what exactly Sam put under each cup for Holly?
    • Why?
    • Why not?

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