Soon after setting the challenge the board area becomes full of students putting up their solutions, then returning to their seat to look for more. For students, it is a very safe and non threatening activity. It builds number sense and is a fun challenge. This task is also a really nice way of helping students become comfortable sharing their work in front of the class.
Task Instructions
Can you find every number between 1 and 20 using only four 4’s and any operation?
or
Can we as a class find every number between 1 and 20 using only four 4’s and any operation?
Here’s an example √4 + √4 + 4⁄4 =
Give this challenge to students and write all the numbers from 1 to 20 on the board. Then ask students to come to the board and write a solution any time they have one. The more solutions you get for each number the better.
