Composite Critters (prime, composite, shape)

Composite Critters (prime, composite, shape)

Composite Critters (Inspired by Solomon Golomb, 1981) In my twenty years of designing puzzles for the classroom, this is the most important because it reliably engages K-2 students in rich mathematical ideas that were traditionally introduced many years later in their...
Taxi Cab Triangles (factoring, proof)

Taxi Cab Triangles (factoring, proof)

Taxi Cab Triangles (MathPickle, 2023) I love the look on students’ faces when I call these things triangles. “These are not triangles”, they insist. This is precisely the type of discussion on definitions that is so useful. We might end up calling...
Color Vortex (mini mathematical universe, primes)

Color Vortex (mini mathematical universe, primes)

Color Vortex (MathPickle, 2022) A beautiful Mini Mathematical Universe for your students to discover. What are the rules governing this universe? What questions do you have? If you can answer the question I have in the video I’ll be so so happy!  It is...
Number One! (fractions, primes)

Number One! (fractions, primes)

Number One! This challenge is for everyone out there who loves their team to be #1. It’s a great number! The number one is created using different positive integers in a fraction. The first time this is possible is when the maximum integer is six. Yippee! We...