Victorian Maths Challenge

Families with children in Years 5 to 8 are encouraged to take part in the new Victorian Maths Challenge, a fun way to explore the links between mathematics and real-world situations.

Modelled on the hugely successful Victorian Pr​emiers' Reading Challenge, it provides a range of captivating mathematical experiences that children and their families can participate in together.

Making paper planes, constructing and measuring paper towers, building boats and strategy games are among the eight exciting online challenges designed to make maths engaging for students and their families.

Created with the Mathematics Association of Victoria, the activities are linked to the curriculum and are devised to promote problem solving, increase confidence and boost participation and performance in maths. Each activity comes with an instructional video and explanation of mathematical concepts and terms.

Families can take on as few or as many challenges as they like and work together to find their own solutions. They can even share their responses, reflections and solutions online. The Challenge runs until 29 November 2016. All challenges can be found at http://vmc.global2.vic.edu.au/.

Challenge Highlight  - Rock, Paper, Scissors

The game of Rock, Paper, Scissors looks at the concept of strategic thinking. By playing multiple games you will discover some mathematical methods that will help you play the game better and help you to develop optimal strategies for bargaining, dealing and decision making.

Play ‘a first to 15 points game’ of ‘Rock-Scissors’ where points are given using the table below.

1. Grab a piece of paper and a pen.
2. Split into groups of two. If you have uneven numbers you can swap partners after a game to 15 points is finished. They don’t take long.
3. The game works the same as ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ except you can only play rock or scissors. Instead of rock beating scissors, in this game, you receive points based on the table below. Don’t discuss the points table until after you have finished.
4. After each round keep a tally of the score.
5. Play until someone reaches 15 points.

• If both players choose ‘Scissors’ then they each get two points.
• If both players choose ‘Rock’ each player gets one point.
• If one player chooses ‘Scissors’ and the other person chooses ‘Rock’, then the person who chose ‘Rock’ gets three points (and the person who chose ‘Scissors’ gets 0 points.

Discuss: Was there any outcome that came up more often than the others? Have a look at the table again and discuss what the best strategy is to definitely beat your opponent. Is there a strategy that allows both players to win?

Not challenging enough? Check out http://vmc.global2.vic.edu.au/challenges/rock-scissors-challenge/ for extension activities around this.