Fun Math Puzzle: Inchworm and Friends - Guess the Number of Creatures in the Vase

1. “Inchworm and Friends” Important Note: If you can see this box, then the slide show is not playing and the reveal won’t work. Here is the solution: If you are using PowerPoint, click on Slide Show, then click on From Current Slide. If you are using Google Slides, click on View then Present. Steve Wyborney www.stevewyborney.com

2. How many creatures are in the vase? As the clues appear, use the information to narrow the possibilities to a smaller set. After each clue, use estimation again to determine which of the remaining answers is the most reasonable. Write down your first estimate. After each clue, you’ll see if your estimate is still a possibility. After each clue, if it is no longer possible write down a new estimate – and be prepared to explain why you chose it. Steve Wyborney www.stevewyborney.com

3. 1 11 21 21 21 21 21 21 1 11 11 11 11 11 1 1 1 1 2 12 12 12 12 12 2 12 22 22 22 22 22 22 2 2 2 2 3 13 13 13 13 13 3 13 23 23 23 23 23 23 3 3 3 3 4 14 24 24 24 24 24 24 4 14 14 14 14 14 4 4 4 4 5 15 25 25 25 25 25 25 5 15 15 15 15 15 5 5 5 5 6 16 26 26 26 26 26 26 6 16 16 16 16 16 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 18 28 28 28 28 28 28 8 18 18 18 18 18 8 8 8 8 9 19 29 29 29 29 29 29 9 19 19 19 19 19 9 9 9 9 10 20 20 20 20 20 10 10 10 10 10 20 30 30 30 30 30 30 Clue #1 Clue #1 and less than 30. The answer is greater than 12 17 17 17 17 17 17 27 27 27 27 27 27 Clue #2 Clue #2 Cross off all the numbers in this pattern: 14, 16, 18, 20 … Clue #3 Clue #3 The creatures are covering the 5. The answer does not include the digit 5. Clue #4 Clue #4 The digit 7 is not in the answer. The digit 9 is not in the answer. Clue #5 On the bottom of the ruler there is a 1 and a 2. Cross off any number that has both a 1 and a 2. Clue #5 Steve Wyborney www.stevewyborney.com

4. After seeing the clues, you have narrowed the possibilities to a small set of numbers. Before you see the answer, select your final estimate. Write it down, and explain to someone why you chose that number. Steve Wyborney www.stevewyborney.com

5. The Reveal 23 creatures Click to see the answer. Important Note: If you can see this box, then the slide show is not playing and the reveal won’t work. Here is the solution: If you are using PowerPoint, click on Slide Show, then click on From Current Slide. If you are using Google Slides, click on View then Present. Steve Wyborney www.stevewyborney.com

6. New Materials for 2023-2024 Leaping Numbers Pattern Challenges Perfect for Leap Day! View the entire playlist here. How do I subscribe to the mailing list? Sign Up Here The Mystery Number in the Box 60-Second Math Mystery Videos View the entire playlist here. 100 New Esti-Mysteries New Estimation Clipboards Daily Resources Posted in the 2022-2023 School Year The Multiplication Advantage! Ask your school to purchase a copy for every student in your class. Learn more here. More Estimation Clipboards (2021-2022) 150 New Esti-Mysteries The 3-Container Estimation Routine 170 New Esti-Mysteries More Free, Downloadable Resources From Blog Posts The Original 50 Splat! Lessons 20 Days of Number Sense & Rich Math Talk 51 Esti-Mysteries The Original 40 Estimation Clipboard Sets 80 Cube Conversations Lessons The Original 20 Fraction Splat! Lessons The Multiplication Course (the free course for students and teachers, posted in 2020) For more information read the blog post about The Multiplication Course here. To view the course on YouTube: 1. Click here to see the chapter playlists on my YouTube channel. 2. You’ll see all 12 chapters in the course. 3. Each chapter includes a sequence of lessons for students.