Resources by 1001 Math Problems

Coloured blocks problem

A picture is shown of some 3D shapes. The shapes are to be painted subject to the constraint that adjacent faces must be painted different colours. The challenge is to find the minimum number of colours needed for each shape. This resource is suitable for Key Stage 3 and could be used as an extension when teaching...

Common factor puzzles

This challenge looks at how many common factors greater than 1 are shared by numbers, with bars representing how many factors a pair of numbers have in common. There are three grids to complete with numbers from 1 to 20 to show this relationship. This resource is suitable for Key Stage 3.

Cryptarithms

A series of symbols is presented in four additions. The challenge is to work out the number that each symbol represents. Solving the problem involves the use of logical thinking using base 10. The resource is suitable for Key Stage 3.

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Decorated cube problem

The net for a cube is shown. The each face of the cube has a different design. Four pictures of the cube are shown but one of the faces has been left blank. The challenge is to find out which design should be drawn on the blank face. This resource would be useful as an extension when teaching nets of cubes.

Domino addition challenge

In this puzzle, an example is given of a column addition that can be made by using the pips on dominos to represent digits. The challenge is to find how many addition problems can be made using a full set of dominos. The sheet contains a full listing of a set of dominoes to help with keeping track of which have...

Domino number bonds

In this game, dominoes are placed on the board to form a series of 'T' shapes. The dominoes must be placed so that where three numbers meet, the largest value is the sum of the two smaller numbers. There are some additional suggestions for playing the game, including scoring systems.

Dots and polygons

This strategy game is a twist on the classic ‘Dots and Boxes’ but with no restrictions on the number of sides of the shape. Players take turns and the challenge is to try and enclose the greatest area possible. This resource is suitable for Key Stage 3.

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Dr. T’s problem

This logic problem involves two activities exploring what initially appear to be conflicting statements. In the first problem, a teacher draws horses on a sheet of paper and holds the sheet up to the class, asking ‘how many horses do you see altogether’. One student replies ‘three’ and is told correct, the second...

Drafter's puzzles

The Top, Side and Front views of shapes are given. The challenge is to make the shapes using cubes. As an extension, 3D representations of the shapes can be drawn on isometric paper. This resource is suitable for Key Stage 3 and could be used as an extension of the topic of 2D representations of 3D shapes.