Star Find
2 out of 3
Can you see which tile is the odd one out in this design? Using the basic tile, can you make a repeating pattern to decorate our wall?
Problem
Here is a grid made up of $9$ squares. All of them are the same except for one. Can you find the odd one out?
The basic tile from the design above looks like this:
In the star design, the tile has been turned around, or rotated , into different positions.
Below is a wall of $16$ blank tiles. Using the basic tile, can you make a repeating pattern to decorate our wall? Try making more designs by rotating the tile and using it in more than one position.
Getting Started
How could you make one tile look the same as the others?
You might like to try the Turning Man problem first.
Student Solutions
Debbie who is 7 and goes to Applegrove Primary School tells us that the odd one out is the middle square because it has two of the designs on it.
Teachers' Resources
Using NRICH Tasks Richly describes ways in which teachers and learners can work with NRICH tasks in the classroom.
Why do this problem?
This problem gives learners a chance to talk about similarities and differences, and also rotations and, in particular, quarter turns. These sheets may be useful to give to pairs or individuals: this sheet has $16$ copes of the basic tile and this sheet has a $4$ by $4$ grid which is the same size as the tiles.
Key questions
Possible extension
Challenge children to make different repeating patterns using the tiles, or they could design their basic tile.
Possible support
Learners could try the Turning Man problem first.