Create 3 own non routine problem

1. How many squares are there?

Solution: drawing a diagram

Step 1: understand the problem
-

Find how many squares are there in the figure

Square is a geometry shape that has four straight equal sides and four angles
of 90.

Step 2: devise a plan to solve the problem

Step 3: carry out the plan
Nine small squares:

One large square:

Four quadruple squares:

Step 4: checking back the answer

Small square has four straight side and four angles of 90 . So it obeys the principle of
a square.
Large square has four straight side and four angles of 90 . Hence, it is really a
square.
Quadruple square has four straight side and four angles of 90 .
Summing up all the squares that have been identified from the problem, there are 15
squares in the figure.

2) In this puzzle you must help a villager get a fox, a duck, and a bag of seaweed
safely across a river in a boat. The villager may only take one thing at a time in the
boat. She cannot leave the fox and the duck together on either side of the river, or
the fox will eat the duck. Likewise, she cannot leave the duck alone with the bag of
seaweed or the duck will eat the seaweed. How can the villager get everything
across the river without anything being eaten?
Solution: simulation
Step 1: understanding the problem
-

Across the river in a boat

One thing at a time
Cannot leave them unattended(fox will eat duck or duck will eat seeweed)
Ways to carry everything to the other side of the river

Step 2: devising plan to solve the problem

-

Simulation

Step 3: carry out the plan

Duck
Fox

Fox

Duck

Duck

Fox
Seaweed

Seaweed

Duck

DESTINATION

Seaweed
Duck

Step 4: checking back the answer

1st: the villager will take the duck across the river. (Fox will not eat seaweed)
2nd: the villager will take the fox and bring back the duck. (Fox will not be able to eat
duck)
3rd: the villager will take the seaweed. (Duck cannot eat seaweed)
4rd: the villager will finally take the duck across the river again. (All items are safely
transported)

3) The villagers were building a bridge. While working under the bridge Rodney
could only see the legs of those walking by. He counted 10 legs in 1 group. What
combination of sheep and children could have been in that group?
Solution: constructing a table
Step 1: understanding the problem
-

What combination of sheep and children could have 10 legs

Step 2: devise a plan

-

Constructing a table to identify the number of sheep and children in the group

Step 3: carry out the plan

Children

Legs

Sheep

Legs

Total

10 (ok)

12(not ok)

10(ok)

12(not ok)

There are two possible answers: 1 sheep and 3 children,or 2 sheeps and 1 child

Step 4: checking back the answer.

-

The answers can be double checked by drawing and figures from the table