One of the most enjoyable aspects of mathematics teaching is working with pupils on Puzzles and Investigations. Witnessing young minds grappling with puzzles and teasers and seeing the eventual joy at solving a problem is very rewarding for us teachers. 

Mathematical problem-solving skills are recognised as fundamental to a solid mathematics education and is one of the three core aims of the 2014 National Curriculum for Mathematics. It requires that pupils ‘can solve problems by applying their mathematics to a variety or routine and non-routine problems with increasing sophistication, including breaking down problems into a series of simpler steps and persevering in seeking solutions,’

Here at Cargilfield we think that problem solving should be a core focus on mathematical teaching.

Furthermore, the wider benefits of teaching children problem solving in maths can be seen when considering how problem-solving skills in maths are actually thinking skills that can be widely applied to other areas of learning, working and living. It is a widely held opinion by experts in this field, that not only does mathematics develop logical, deductive reasoning but - somewhat surprisingly - engagement with this subject can also foster creativity. Therefore, mathematics is an important context for developing problem-solving strategies that potentially have significance in all areas of human activity.

There are roughly 5 different types of problem in maths and these cover the range of skills that children need to practise repeatedly and explicitly in order to become excellent problem solvers. 

· Trial and improvement 

· Working systematically 

· Pattern spotting 

· Working backwards 

· Reasoning logically 

· Visualising 

· Conjecturing

All very jargony!!

Some simple problems to explain some of the above strands

Problem 1 - Rows of Coins

Take five coins:  1p, 2p, 5p, 10p and 20p.

Put them in a row using these clues.

The total of the first three coins is 27p.

The total of the last three coins is 31p.

The last coin is double the value of the first coin.

(This example can be seen as a simple Trial and improvement and Reasoning logically problem)

Younger children, especially, can look at a problem like this and panic a little. They tend to want to write the correct answer in one go and therefore not be comfortable having an attempt at the solution. First attempts can sometimes even be rubbed out leaving the correct solution!

Three important skills teachers should be assessing their pupils on and striving to improve are :-

1)  Can the child make an attempt at the start of an investigation?

2)  Can the child keep trying for a prolonged period of time, despite not having success?

3)     When stuck, can the child be able to try different approaches?

Problem 1

First attempt -   20p, 2p, 5p,      10p, 1p            using the fact that 27p is total for first three. 

Doesn’t work for other clues.

Second attempt – 2p, 5p,       20p, 10p, 1p      this satisfies the first and second clue.

Doesn’t work for the third clue. 

Third, fourth, fifth attempts – at this stage the 20p is fixed in the middle and combinations of 2p, 5p  on the left, can be written down with combinations of 1p and 10p on the right to satisfy the last clue.

Of course, the pupils can by-pass a few Trial and improvement attempts by noticing that with 2p and 5p on the left and 10p and 1p on the right, that only 10p is double 5p will work.

Interestingly, at the start, pupils who have a “feel” for numbers would recognise that the totals for the first three numbers and last three numbers would mean that 20p is “double counted” so has to be in the centre.

Total for first three = 27p      Total for last three = 31p        Total for five coins = 38p

Total for first three added to total for last three = 27p + 31p = 58p

58 – 38p = 20p      The 20p has been “double counted” and therefore must be in the centre.

(This is a skill widely used for Venn diagram problems with intersections.

For example:       Of 50 pupils surveyed, 36 pupils play football and 29 play basketball.

How many play both?     (36 + 29) – 50 = 15

Solution:    21 play only football, 15 play both and 14 play only basketball)

This simple coin problem can be seen to have tested Trail and improvement and Reasoning logically from the list above.

(Solution - 5p, 2p, 20p, 1p, 10p)