How Can You Make It?

Choose a number and then show different ways to split a number into two whole numbers.

PURPOSE

This activity ensures that learners understand how to create connections between numbers using addition.

• Step 1

  Ask the learner to create a list with numbers and pick one number from the list, or ask the learner to think of a number in their head and say it out loud. Alternatively the learner can roll one or two dice to decide the number.

• Step 2

  Next, ask the learner how many ways they can split the number into whole numbers. For example, if their number is 10, they can come up with:

  - 10 can be added using the numbers 5, 5

  - 10 can be added using the numbers 8, 2

  - 10 can be added using the numbers 7, 3

  - 10 can be added using the numbers 6, 4

• Step 3

  Finally, tell the learner to see how many ways they can think of to reach their chosen number.

• Fun Twist

  Ask the learner to play this with a partner or in a group, and whoever has the most ways of reaching the number, wins.

• Additional Exercise

  Ask the learner to try to split the number with different mathematical operations such as subtraction, division and multiplication.

• Simplified Exercise

  Ask the learner to set a goal for themselves: “I will think of 5 different ways to make this number.”