Resources by University of Nottingham

Linear graphs task

This short task considers identifying and interpreting linear graphs.

Students are given five equations of linear graphs. They must match four of them with graphs that have been drawn, and then draw the other graph on a set of axes. The final part of the task is to find a graph that could represent the speed...

Lottery: systematic listing

This task assesses how well students understand systematic listing and expected value.

The task features a proposal for a lottery game. Players must pay a $1 fee to enter the lottery. They are given a card showing the numbers 1 to 6. Players cross through two numbers of their choosing. A bag contains balls...

Matching situations, graphs and linear equations

This resource develops the concept of exploring variables in everyday situations. In addition, students work on finding unknown values from known values, finding relationships between pairs of unknowns, expressing relationships in the form of tables and graphs, and rearranging formulas. The central theme of the...

Maximising profits: selling boomerangs

This is a problem solving lesson, designed to assess how well students are able to:

• Interpret a situation and represent the constraints and variables mathematically
• Explore the effects of systematically varying the constraints
• Interpret and evaluate generated data and identify the...

Maximizing profit: selling soup

This is a problem solving lesson where students develop their understanding of the following areas:

• Drawing inferences about a population from a random sample of data
• Making and stating assumptions based on real-life situations
• Using proportional relationships to solve multistep ratio...

Meal out

This resource features a task that explores matching an equation to a situation, solving the equation and then using the information to solve a further problem.

Ten people go out for dinner and have a choice of a three-course meal for $15 or a two-course meal for $12. The bill comes to $141. Five equations...

Memory game: conditional probability

This task assesses how well students understand calculating conditional probability. Some of the tasks require either systematic listing or use of  tree diagrams.

The task features a ‘memory game’. In the game there are four cards, two have a picture of an apple on them, and two have a picture of bananas. In...

Modeling relationships: car skid marks

This problem solving resource uses linear functions to model real world data about car skid marks. The work assumes students are familiar with substitution and drawing straight line graphs.

The problem is set in the context of investigating car accidents. When a car suddenly brakes to a stop, it can leave...

Modelling motion: rolling cups

This resource requires problem solving using skills in both applying geometrical concepts and modelling a situation using functions.

Students investigate rolling cups of different shapes and dimensions. They use ideas of similarity to link together the wider diameter with narrow diameter, slant length, and...

Modelling: hot and cold

This problem solving resource is intended to help students compare two linear functions as approximations to the relationship between Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature and consider under what circumstances each of the approximations may be reasonable.

The two methods given are

 ‘To convert from...