A collection of calculating fractions through worded problems in real life contexts. Great way to test comprehension of fraction calculations to KS3, nice starter for KS4 as a precursor to move on to more challenging fraction calculations.

A resource best used to interleave learning - either in revision or a week or two after studying simultaneous equations. This is when problem solving questions work most effectively. Great for KS4 and a strong KS3 classes.

A collection of seven questions that use the basic trigonometric principles, but in a worded problem context. Students will need to draw out the problem, work step-by-step to solve these questions. nb: One of the questions involves an Arc calculation.

Worded problem solving in real life contexts of using the formula for calculating the circumference of a circle. Ideal for KS3 but useful as a warm up for KS4 students too. Ideally students will need knowledge of S=D/T or at least be directed towards that formula, as it is needed for a few questions.

Real Life Recipes...Real Life Ratios...Maths doesn't get any tastier! Using knowledge of ratio, as well as equivalent fractions and converting percentages, students can discover the correct amounts of ingredients from extracts of the BBC.co.uk/Food resource. KS3 resource but well worth a shout to check mastery of ratio, and of course fraction/percentage conversion before a more in depth KS4 lesson. ps. updated 26/02/18 to remove typos!

Worded questions involving football. Calculating the mean, median and mode of real data sets. Real life examples of basic statistical analysis that is accessible to any level of KS3, especially if they have an interest in football - a way to engage children who enjoy the sport. Questions to consider are postured if greater depth is needed for higher achieving KS3 students, and a valuable recap exercise in KS4.

A collection of six questions designed to challenge students when they have ‘mastered’ conventional uses of pythagoras theorem. All questions work as great revision for GCSE, and a nice stretch challenge for KS3 too.

A second collection of challenge materials for KS3 or great revision recaps for KS4. Best used away from lessons surrounding geometry to add the extra element of problem solving that they need to practise. NB. Use of Pythagoras also the formula for the volume of a sphere if they have not covered it.

Using Minecraft, these worded problems take the inventory totals of items and ask students to display them as a product of prime factors. Even if students aren’t familiar with Minecraft, there is enough information on the sheets for them to work out the answers to the questions. Trying to make a very dry topic a little more interesting :)

Using knowledge of cuboid volume, prism volume, circle area and Pythagoras to solve the answers to these problems. For the revision of KS4 topics or as a challenge to KS3

A collection of ten questions that are put in a worded context that involve calculating three-digit numbers with other three-digit numbers. They are designed to be accessible to year 7’s. I would like to think that there are year 5’s and 6’s that could tackle them, but I’m not a primary school teacher, so any feedback on this would be gratefully received. A couple of facts that kids may need - quickly accessible to you for display: Number of days in a leap year: 366 Number of weeks in a year: 52 Number of days in March: 31 Number of days in April: 30 Number of days in May: 31 Number of days in June: 30 1000m in 1km I hope you enjoy this, as it was great fun sourcing the facts to compile the questions :)

Great revision practise for using Pythagoras and basic trigonometry GCSE questions, also used as a challenge for Key Stage 3. (includes use of formulas for Circle area and circumference) Best used outside of Pythagoras or trigonometry lessons so that the mathematical skills are revised and then applied.

Inspired by the “Maths Challenge” style questions, I have put a posterboard together of 12 questions that can enthuse students to tackle key stage 3 maths, but in a much less obvious/much more interesting way. Hopefully they will enjoy them as much as my students and as much as I have enjoyed creating them in the guise of Maths Challenge questions. Has been used as a starter/revision and as a ‘now for something completely different’ element to a lesson.

A selection of problem solving worded questions that apply to elements of the Minecraft game. Most children aged 11-16 will play or have played it, but even if they have, the questions can still be tackled.