Spiders and Flies - Rich Maths Tasks

Rich Maths Task  Conversation

22 legs can be seen on the spider web. There are flies and spiders.  How many flies and spiders are on the web?

Mikaela “ I think we have too many legs. We could take those two extra legs out. Cut them.”

Aotea “ We could take the spider out.”

Mikaela “No that would wreck it.”

Aotea “Maybe take the spider out and put a different one in.

Ok let’s count.”

“Maybe I could fold it” (Two legs are hidden from view.”)

Mikaela “Maybe we could take a spider out. We could try some flies. Try one.”

Aotea takes out the spider and puts in a fly.

They count. Success  2 spiders and 1 fly makes 22 legs. Great 'think, pair, share'.