Solve simple problems involving proportion, find the value of the shaded sector by working out the relationship between the fraction given and the sector required. Find the unit fraction them multiply up to find the value of the whole and use that. (not for the faint-hearted ) Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! For more resources like this search for: Proportion - A pack - work out the value of the shaded sector to decode the joke. Key words: Sir Cumference, circumference, proportion, equivalent quantity, fraction, fraction of an amount, reasoning, multiply, divide, share, sector, circle, whole, total, joke, decode, maths joke.

A message, built up from fractions of mathematical words to create of four sentences. Each sentence explains the history of fractions as they are used today. The fraction given indicates how much of each word to use. Put the parts together to form a new word and decode information about the history of fractions. Each question supports literacy. Students have to merge groups of letters together to form recognisable words and sentences (answers included). Students can be surprised that fractions in their current form, originated in India (SSMC). Key words: fraction, fractions, fraction of an amount, history of fractions, ssmc, numerator, denominator, vocabulary, puzzle, decode, fraction words, fractions have not always been written as they are today.

A teacher-student resource inspired by teachers from Shanghai. A paper copy is given to the student, another copy projected on to the whiteboard. The resource is used to structure a mathematical discussion about nth term. How to form an nth term expression from a sequence and how to write a sequence given the nth term expression. Initially scaffolding is provided in the form of boxes to fill in. (answers provided). Key words: nth term, term, expression, sequence, sequences, ascending, interactive, Shanghai.

Use the nth term expressions to calculate the missing terms in each sequence. Key words: nth term, expression, sequence, sequences, ascending, worksheet.

A task I use to reinforce understanding of place value and standard form. Lower ability students can also practice column additions and subtractions which makes it an ideal task for students who do not line up place values before calculating. Students decode a paragraph to find out about the origins of the decimal number system that is used today. The puzzle relies on a knowledge of powers of ten. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors (answers included). For more number resources search for Place Value - powers of 10, decode the origins of the decimal point or decode the adoption of negative numbers. Key words: Standard form, Units, Tens, Hundreds, Thousands, powers of 10, place value, standard form, addition, subtraction, message, decode, origin, indian, arabic, numbers, worksheet, history of mathematics, math, maths, (unlock untangle understand).

Round each number to one significant figure first, then calculate to make an estimate of the calculation to decode the joke. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! The puzzle also supports literacy students have to split the string of letters into recognisable words to work out the answer (answers included). Key words: Estimation, estimate, place value, significant figure, joke, decode. round, significant figure, estimating, rounding, worksheet, joke, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Updated 23 June 2016 Although negative numbers have been in use in India since the middle ages, they were not fully adopted across Europe until the seventeenth century. Use this addition and subtraction puzzle using directed numbers to help students find out a little bit of the history of negative numbers. If you find this resource useful, there are more. Search for: decode the origins of the decimal point or decode the origins of our decimal number system. Key words: directed numbers, negative, positive, add, subtract, number line, count forwards, count backwards, zero, did you know, codes, decode, worksheet, history of mathematics, puzzle book.

Six puzzles to support cross curricular numeracy in: French, Technology, Chemistry and Economics. Puzzles can be used as starters. Use the puzzles in different subject areas to identify a numeracy deficit connected to place value or issues of transference from mathematics to other subjects. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Each puzzle also supports literacy. Students have to split the string of letters into recognisable words to answer the joke. If you find these resources useful there are more, search for: Place value - decimals (cross curricular numeracy_1 or_3). Keywords: cross curricular numeracy, resource, the decimal system, read decimal numbers, place value, units, tenths, hundredths, thousandths, decimal, un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, international joke day, degrees, potassium, oxygen, humus, tzatziki, dips, chocolate, balanced diet, bridge, La Seine, worksheet, numeracy deficit, transference (unlock untangle understand).

Identify equivalent fractions. Shade squares to reveal the answer to the joke, Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Key words: Equivalent, fraction, match, shade, fractions, multiples, multiple, equivalent fraction, joke, decode, worksheet, joke, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Use prime factors to find the square root of a number. This task is easily extended (decide if the square root of a number is an integer value, or not). The task develops a feeling for number and underpins an understanding of surds. Key words: integer, factor, prime factor, factorisation, square root, root, surd.

Manipulate expressions using the Laws of Indices. Decode each puzzle to work out the punchline to a joke. (with answers) Key words: index, indices, notation, expression, index laws, laws of indices, base, bases, power, powers, raising a power to a power, divide, multiply, puzzle, joke, decode, worksheet, practice, math, maths, mathematics, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Expressions with the same base can be manipulated using the Law of Indices. Decode the puzzle to practice using the laws of indices. If you like this resource search for Index laws 1, 3 and 4. Key words: index, indices, notation, expression, index laws, base, bases, power, powers, multiply, divide, puzzle, joke, decode, worksheet, practice, math joke, maths joke, mathematics, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Students decode a paragraph to find out about the first force that anyone really figured out in any detail; gravity. The puzzle relies on an ability to multiply by 2, 5 and 10. It can be used to identify a numeracy deficit involving simple multiplication. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors (answers included). Can be used in Science or Mathematics. Keywords: Physics, forces, 2s, 5s, 10s, times table, message, decode, gravity, interact, reaction, direction, worksheet, cross curricular numeracy, numeracy, deficit, math, maths, numeracy across learning, (unlock untangle understand).

It is likely that you will shop in a supermarket, but will you spot the cheapest deals? ‘Best buy’ questions have been a staple on exam papers for years. Compare offers using equivalent quantities or unit cost to identify the best deal. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Each puzzle also supports literacy. Students have to split the string of letters into recognisable words to answer the joke (answers included). The symbols on the tins are Mongolian numerals. Key words: best buy, value for money, proportion, equivalent quantities, estimate, unit cost, comparison, compare, ratio, joke, shopping, supermarket, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Six puzzles to support cross curricular numeracy in: Humanities, English, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science. Use the puzzles in different subject areas to identify a numeracy deficit connected to place value or issues of transference from mathematics to other subjects. Puzzles can be used as starters. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Each puzzle also supports literacy. Students have to split the string of letters into recognisable words to answer the joke. If you find these resources useful there are more, search for: Place value - decimals (cross curricular numeracy_2 or _3). Keywords: cross curricular, numeracy resource, the decimal system, read decimal numbers, place value, units, tenths, hundredths, thousandths, decimal, elements, noble gas, helium, waves, hertz, renewable, gigabytes, numeracy, joke, jokes, rhetorical, dark ages, invasion, knight, joke, code, puzzle, international joke day, numeracy deficit, transferrance, diagnostic tool, worksheet. (undo, untangle, understand)

Find a fraction of an amount using unitary fractions to calculate the punchline to a joke. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Key words: denominator, unitary fraction, proportion, fraction, fraction of an amount, share, whole, hole, total, joke, maths joke, punchline, decode, if it takes six men one hour to dig three holes...

Four mobile balancing problems to support algebraic reasoning. The thinking used in these puzzles is the same as the logic used behind solving equations. Explore equivalence where the LHS = RHS (Answers included). Key words: equivalence, mobile problems, balance, pan balance, relationship, solve, balance problem, unknown, joke, logical thinking, multi-step problems, algebraic reasoning, puzzle, decode, worksheet, math, maths, mathematics, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Expressions with the same base, can be manipulated using the Law of Indices. Decode the puzzle to practice the laws of indices when raising a power to another power, includes multiplying and dividing indices. If you like this resource, search for Index Laws 1, 2 and 4. Key words: index, indices, notation, expression, index laws, base, bases, power, powers, raining a power to a power, multiply, divide, puzzle, joke, decode, worksheet, practice, math, maths joke, mathematics, (unlock, untangle, understand).

Match the decimals given in words to the number given in digits. Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Each puzzle also supports literacy. Students have to split the string of letters into recognisable words to read the punchline. (answers included). If you like this, search for: Place Value - A pack of decimal and fraction puzzles. Keywords: place value, decimals, units, tenths, hundredths, thousandths, puzzle, joke, number system, practice, math, maths joke, mathematics, unlock untangle understand.

Nine puzzles for students to decode (pick and mix). Devices within the puzzle allow students to self monitor their work and correct errors. Students like to finish a puzzle, but they don’t always like the jokes they decode! Each puzzle also supports literacy. Students have to split the string of letters into recognisable words to answer the joke. (answers included). Six other puzzles, which are simpler, can be found at - Place value - decimals (cross curricular numeracy). If students need support, project or print off the place value poster. Harder puzzles can be found under - Place value - powers of 10. Keywords: the decimal system, read decimal numbers, place value, units, tenths, hundredths, thousandths, decimal, fraction. mixed number, puzzle, joke, code, number system, reading scale, joke, worksheet, math, maths, mathematics, unlock untangle understand.