Maths

How many different triangles can you make using exactly 15 matches?

In Maths, students explored the properties of triangles by constructing them with matches. 

Using this simple starting point, groups of students asked and investigated questions like:

• How many triangles can we make?
• Is this triangle equilateral, isosceles or acute?
• Can we make a triangle with a side of 8 matches? Why or why not?
• How can we tell if the largest angle is acute, right or obtuse?

Through their investigations students developed deeper understanding of ways of classifying triangles, relationships between side lengths and angles, and strategies for spatial reasoning and problem solving.