Puzzles to test mathematical skills, set by Anita Straker. Solutions below More brainteasers on www.tes.co.ukteacherbrainteasers
Ages 7-11 Jigsaw puzzle
Take any trapezium.
Make just one straight cut across it.
Reassemble the pieces to make a parallelogram.
In how many different ways can you do this? Ages 10-14 All the eights
Show that eight 8s make 1000!
Put +, - , x, V or brackets in this equation
to make it true.
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
1000
SOLUTIONS Jigsaw puzzle 2 different ways. Join the mid-points of the non-parallel sides and cut across this line. All the eights 8 x (8 + 8) + 888 - 8 - 8 = 1000 or (8888 - 888) V 8 = 1000. There may be other solutions.
