Puzzles and Riddles

Learning Goals:

  • Determine the missing numbers in equations
  • Develop and apply reasoning skills to make and test math predictions

The Exploration:

The goal of a flower petal puzzle is to place the numbers from 1-7 in the circles (“petals”), so that each line of 3 petals adds up to the target total:

A line image of a circle, surrounded by six equally sized circles connected to the centre circle with lines. Number 1 to 7 are along the bottom of the image.

Can you place the numbers 1-7 into the circles so that each line of 3 petals adds to 10?
What about a target total of 12 for each line of petals? A target total of 14?

Questions and Prompts to Support your Child:

  • What have you tried so far? What could we try together?
  • If that arrangement of numbers didn’t work out, what could you try instead?
  • What combinations of three numbers add to ten? Which have you tried?

Extensions & Adaptations:

  • If you’re feeling stuck, focus on trying different numbers in the middle circle – that spot is more important than the rest
  • Once you’ve solved for target totals of 10, 12, and 14, try to design your own – you could use a different set of numbers for in the spaces, allow players to use a number more than once, or place requirements on the middle number (i.e., it must be an even number)

Source: Mathforlove.com