Sliders

An activity that has stood the passage of time from the its inception by Sam Loyd to the present digital age. Perhaps you remember having such a toy as a child?
The purpose of the task is to complete a picture given a set of image boxes. The full picture is completed by moving the smaller pieces around the grid following given rules. The mathematical element involves working out the least number of moves (not as easy as perhaps you think) and then using the sequence to find the nth term.
The activity has been tried and tested with Key Stage 3 pupils and is particularly effective where children are placed in pairs and allowed to compete and chat about their ideas. Of course, they need to be focused on the task.
Included: pupil worksheet, resource material, extension task, solutions.