Or search by topic
How many triangles can you make using sticks that are 3cm, 4cm and 5cm long?
Each side can only use one stick but a triangle can use more than one stick of the same length.
You may like to use this interactivity to try out your ideas.
You could use sticks that have 4 holes, 5 holes and 6 holes to represent the 3cm, 4cm and 5cm sticks.
This problem lends itself very well to practical exploration using sticks or construction rods. Having this "hands-on" experience will help children to realise the need to be systematic and develop their own recording system. The task offers children the chance to explore all the ways in which they can choose three sticks to make a triangle.
For children who are finding this difficult start by focusing on making specific triangles such as one with three sides of length three. Then change one side. Stay with using practical apparatus for longer and help to scaffold their thinking systmatically. Encourage them to use descriptive language and to look for similarities and differences between triangles. Ask them what is the same and what is different about two triangles.