Card Frame
June 9th, 2009 · 35 Comments
An interactive whiteboard resource to accompany a puzzle published in an old book by Henry Ernest Dudeney. The puzzle is a useful one for teaching deeper mathematical thinking because while it can be solved by trial and error thinking about the maths behind it can make it much easier.
The goal is to choose a number that all 4 sides of the frame can add up to and arrange the cards to do this. Some numbers are possible some numbers are not. This puzzle has been selected as it allows students of all abilities to have a go as the maths involved is not difficult. The challenge should be to find a method of determining what numbers can be used as the common total amount and then how to make finding the layout much easier. The resource provided here allows the puzzle to be demonstrated easily and can also allow whole class discussion of how to approach the problem. Clicking on one card and then another causes them to swap places. The resource totals the different lines automatically. The original wording of the puzzle can be made to appear by clicking on the question mark button.
A printable sheet accompanies this resource which includes the original wording and diagram. It also includes the appropriate cards for cutting out to do the puzzle away from a computer. If teachers would like the solution and maths behind it leave a comment with your email address in the box (it will not be published). There will be at least a 5 day delay to ensure that students who have been set this as homework aren’t cheating by impersonating a teacher!
Go to interactive whiteboard resource.
Get printable resource.
TweetTags: Investigations · Problem Solving
35 responses so far ↓
1 Mohammad Kalhoro // Jun 21, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Can I have the solution to this problem please? Many thanks.
Mohammad
2 mars // Jun 27, 2009 at 5:51 am
could I have the ‘maths behind it’ info please. my group has been working with the problem and having lots of fun.
3 A Allsopp // Jul 28, 2009 at 3:16 pm
I’d love to recieve the solution and maths behind this problem. I will use this in September.
Many thanks.
4 Roni // Aug 3, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Could I have the answer to card frame & the maths behind it please? Thanks
5 Kjersti // Aug 17, 2009 at 3:06 pm
This seems like a great extra credit assignment could I get the solution? Thanks!
6 A Allsopp // Aug 27, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I really would love your solution to this please, orignal request made in July. Thanks!
7 admin // Aug 27, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Sorry you haven’t received it; it was sent on 3rd of August. I’ve sent it again today . Check it isn’t being put into to the junk folder.
If you or anybody else still hasn’t received it let me know here.
Spencer
8 Smartboard links (september 2009) « Bernard Blogt // Sep 1, 2009 at 8:11 am
[...] 01/09/2009 door Bernard Card Frame [...]
9 F McManus // Sep 18, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Love it. Please send the solution. Thanks
10 K // Nov 4, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Hi, could you send me the solution please ? thanks
11 Suzannah // Nov 17, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Could I please have the solution? Thanks
12 Mary Patricia Peres-da-Silva // Jan 30, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Could I please have the solutions to the problems.Thanks
13 SAM // Jan 30, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Please could i have the solution and maths behind it?! Thanks
14 rajani // Feb 1, 2010 at 7:42 pm
give me the answer please to the card frame asap
15 Linda Mckee // Mar 22, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Would love to receive the solution to this problem and the maths behind it.
Thanks
16 Mtro // May 2, 2010 at 8:42 am
Could you please send me the solution and the maths behind it
17 Val // May 9, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Could you please send the answer and the maths behind it – thanks!
18 Helen // May 18, 2010 at 11:06 am
Could you please send me the answer too – and how to do it! Thanks
19 Flick // May 26, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Love the resources! Please may I have the solution to this problem. Thanks.
20 Melissa // Aug 11, 2010 at 11:15 pm
Please send me the solution
21 Angela // Aug 25, 2010 at 3:06 am
AAH! The Year 7’s and I still can’t work it out. Help please!
22 Spencer // Aug 25, 2010 at 11:22 am
Sorry for delays in sending the solutions – I’ve been away normal service now resumed.
23 Anne-Marie Mills // Aug 26, 2010 at 4:01 am
Hi there,
I will appreciate it if you could send me an sollution.
Kind regards
Anne-Marie
24 dan // Sep 3, 2010 at 9:42 am
solution to card frame problem please
thanks
25 Lucy @Harrow BKK // Oct 19, 2010 at 8:29 am
Please can we have a solution!
26 Profesor Stewarts Cabinet and Hoarde Mathematics Books Review // Oct 27, 2010 at 1:59 pm
[...] which I have used in the classroom a number of times as I created an IWB resource to support it. Card Frame. This puzzle requires no more than basic addition skills and some clever thinking. As such, [...]
27 buzz // Nov 4, 2010 at 12:13 am
It was fun working on this problem with my children, will be thankful if you could send me its solution. Thanks.
28 Sue G // Feb 15, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Could I have the solution please
29 Jo Williams // Mar 12, 2011 at 5:34 pm
Would you please send me the solution? Thanks
30 Mary Rishworth // May 2, 2011 at 8:52 pm
Great resource. Could I have the maths behind it and solution please. Thank you.
31 Amanda // Jun 28, 2011 at 8:30 pm
Great activity. Can I have the maths and solution please.
Thanks
32 .... // Sep 10, 2011 at 11:42 am
please can i have the solution
33 neil // Sep 10, 2011 at 6:21 pm
good puzzle my boy brought this home from school he spent ages on it lol took me 25 mins good one
34 Spencer // Sep 10, 2011 at 6:41 pm
Good to hear that it proved an interesting challenge for him. 25 mins is pretty quick to solve it on your part too!
35 Addy Godwin // Nov 30, 2011 at 4:16 am
can I please have the solution???? it is a gret problem and the kids are loving it but can’t figure it out!!
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