Task Maths 4

A Year Ten textbook from Task Maths. This resource continues with the thematic approach of the series. In many cases the task titles only give a partial view of the content since the authors’ intention is that the mathematics in the course will be integrated. Task Maths 4 contains some innovative content in most tasks with some containing material which is very different, and possibly more engaging, than that found in many texts. Each task consists of a number of differentiated activities on the theme of the task and ends with a number of Further Coursework tasks for extended activities. Significant use is made of computer software, especially spreadsheets. The book is split here into two parts: tasks 1-8 are in part one and tasks 9-13 are in part two.

The tasks are: 

1. Cube models - Volume and surface area of shapes made from interlocking cubes

2. Circle patterns - Investigating patterns and their properties made by joining points on the circumference

3. Investigating numbers - Investigations and puzzles using factorisation, powers, missing digits

4. Growing cubes - Number sequences based on sequences of ‘growing’ interlocking cube shapes and their graphs

5. Design for living - Plans related to the home. Includes use of ratio and percentages

6. Patterns with polygons and lines - Exploring patterns made by tessellating, rotating and reflecting and their angle properties

7. Statisitical experiments - Analysis of experiments, mean, median mode, range, interquartile range, scattergrams

8. Joining midpoints - Includes activities on area, square and cube roots and their graphs, enlargement and vectors

9. Containers - Units and conversions, volume, surface area, prices and percentages

10. Tilted squares - Properties of ‘tilted’ squares drawn on dotty squared paper, making much use of Pythagoras

11. Would you believe it? - Activities in a range of contexts looking at whether statements are sometimes/always/never true

12. Planning a journey - Numerical and handling data activities, including use of charts, tables, maps and graphs

13. Infinity - Includes fractal design, decimal representation of fractions, rational and irrational numbers, infinite sequences and iterative processes.

The Teachers' Resource Book

Contents 

*Introduction The first part of the book covers the approach taken, resources and materials needed and the teacher’s role. The detail on the National Curriculum and Recording is no longer relevant because of subsequent changes.

*Guide to tasks There are typically ten pages of information on each of the tasks which give answers and brief suggestions for approaches to the activities as well as listing any resources needed. Notes and sample assessments are provided on the Further Coursework tasks provided at the end of each task in the student text.

*Notes on running the computer programs – relates to software running on machines no longer in use.