SMAC+Maths+2013

20 of us met with our tutor Mrs Leckie over 4 mornings. She extended our problem solving skills and really gave our maths skills a good workout as she presented us with multiple challenges.

Here are the **10 problem solving strategies** we learnt and used. **In preparation for the SMAC Maths Challenge** we worked in teams of 4 to solve maths problems in the shortest time we could. We had a calculator each, scrap paper, pencil and the problem sheets. The SMAC Maths Challenge relies on • teamwork • using maths strategies • speed. The golden rule is to write things down. • Read the question again. • Don’t miss any questions as marks are deducted for passing. • If you get something wrong, often you just need to go up or down by 1. • Look beyond what you first see. • There’s always a rule; keep going down and persevere with the pattern. • Sometimes it’s useful to look at things in isolation, then it’s easier to see the whole. • You may need to use a number of strategies to solve one problem. Some of us worked as one unit with lots of talking. Others worked in pairs on a sheet each and then crosschecked each other’s work before submitting our answers. __IT ALL ADDS UP __ Question 1: Every birthday Steve has a cake with the number of candles that represents his age in years. This year after his birthday Steve will have blown out 253 candles. How old is he?
 * 1) Account for all possibilities[[image:IMG_1284.jpg width="168" height="224" align="right"]]
 * 2) Act it out.
 * 3) Guess and check. Trial and error.
 * 4) Look for a pattern.
 * 5) Make a diagram or graph.
 * 6) Make a model.
 * 7) Make a table.
 * 8) Solve a simpler related problem.
 * 9) Write a number sentence.
 * 10) Work backwards. (Remember if it has been multiplied then divide, squared then square root, added then subtract.)
 * Some of Mrs Leckie’s other tips are **
 * Here are some examples of the kinds of questions we've been working on. **

Question 2: In a cafe, coffee and a muffin costs $6.80. Muffin and hot chocolate costs $7. Hot chocolate and a scone costs $6.20. How much would a coffee and scone cost?

Question 3: How many different triangles can be made, where the side lengths are always whole numbers and the perimeter is always 18cm?

Question 4: In 10 years' time the combined age of two brothers and two sisters will be 100. What will their combined age add up to in 5 years time?

Question 5: What number will give the same answer whether you add 5 to it, or multiply it by 5?

**Check out the answers at the bottom of this page. **
= [|Check out these links to online Maths]  =

Lachlan said, “I’ve learnt some new problem solving strategies.” “Learning new strategies and learning what SMAC Maths is all about have been highlights for me,” said Chloe. Carmela said, “Doing the problems has really made us think!” Charlotte reflected, “Before, I didn’t know how to make a table. Now I'm quite confident at it. I’ve gotten better at making a diagram too.” **Kendra said, “We’ve been focussing on diagrams and tables. Also guess and check. They are 3 really helpful problem solving strategies.”** Peter said, “I’ve learnt some new strategies, like working backwards and acting it out. The hardest bit has been the SMAC Maths challenge at the end.” Donrey found it helpful making connections with prior knowledge to solve the challenges. **Lucy thought learning different techniques and strategies made coming to SMAC Maths really worthwhile.** = =
 * Here are some of our thoughts about being included in this GATE Initiative. **


 * [[image:DSC06126.jpg width="212" height="338" align="left"]]Here are the answers to the **
 * IT ALL ADDS UP questions **
 * How did you go? **

Question 1: Answer: 22 Question 2: Answer: $6. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Question 3: Answer: 7 <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Question 4: Answer: 80 years <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 120%;">Question 5: Answer: 1.25