Maths News

What Is a Mathematically Rich Task?

Rich tasks allow the learner to 'get inside' the mathematics. The learning process as a result, is far more interesting, engaging and powerful. Rich tasks can enable students to work mathematically by allowing them to:

• Get started and explore because the tasks are accessible to learners of a wide range of abilities
• Make conjectures
• Extend knowledge or apply knowledge in new contexts
• Work successfully when using different methods
• Broaden their problem-solving skills
• Deepen and broaden mathematical content knowledge
• See and make sense of underlying principles or make connections between different areas of mathematics
• Observe other people being mathematical and learn 

Current research evidence indicates that students who are given opportunities to work on their problem-solving skills enjoy the subject more.

Check out this example.         

Can you attempt this task with your friends and family?

How many squares can you see?