DragonBox strategy comparisons maths mission
A practical mini-mission using strategy comparisons to practise reasoning through questions, examples and child-friendly challenges.
Quick answer
DragonBox strategy comparisons maths mission helps you learn how to think carefully about different ways to solve a maths problem, compare them, and choose the best one. You’ll use this skill when solving puzzles, playing games, or working out real-life problems like sharing snacks or planning a party.
Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to compare different ways to solve a maths problem and choose the best one for the situation.
- You can explain why one method might work better than another.
- You can think of at least two different ways to solve a problem.
- You can use reasoning to decide which method is best for a given situation.
- You can share your thinking with others using simple words.
Why this matters
Learning how to compare strategies is a powerful skill. It helps you become a better problem solver in school and in real life. When you play games like DragonBox, you need to think about which steps to take next. In real life, you might need to decide whether to walk, cycle, or take the bus to get somewhere quickly. Comparing your options helps you make good choices. It also helps you learn from your mistakes and get better at maths.
How it works
When you play DragonBox or do maths challenges, you often have more than one way to solve a problem. Here’s how to compare your strategies:
- Think of two ways to solve the problem.
- Try each method and see what happens.
- Compare the results – which one is faster, easier, or clearer?
- Decide which one is best for the situation.
Let’s try a simple example to show how this works.
Examples you can see
Imagine you are sharing 12 cookies with 3 friends. You want to find out how many cookies each person gets. Here are two ways to solve it:
Method 1: Counting by groups
You can think of it as: “How many groups of 3 are in 12?”
You can count: 3, 6, 9, 12. That’s 4 groups.
So, 12 ÷ 3 = 4 cookies each.
Method 2: Repeated subtraction
You can take away 3 cookies at a time from 12:
- Start with 12 cookies.
- Take away 3 → 9 cookies left.
- Take away 3 → 6 cookies left.
- Take away 3 → 3 cookies left.
- Take away 3 → 0 cookies left.
You took away 3 cookies 4 times, so 12 ÷ 3 = 4 cookies each.
Both methods work, but one might be faster depending on how you think. In DragonBox, you might try different moves and see which one gets you closer to the answer more quickly.
Real-world example: Planning a party
You are planning a birthday party for 15 friends and you want to make sure everyone gets a drink. You can buy drinks in packs of 5. How many packs do you need?
One way: Count how many 5s are in 15.
- 5 + 5 = 10
- 10 + 5 = 15
So, 3 packs are needed.
Another way: Use division.
15 ÷ 5 = 3 packs.
Both are correct, but division might be quicker if you know your times tables!
Try it as a mini adventure
Imagine you are on a DragonBox mission to find the secret treasure. You have two paths to choose from:
- Path A: Climb 3 steps, then 3 steps, then 3 steps again.
- Path B: Climb 9 steps all at once.
Which path gets you to the treasure faster? Let’s compare:
- Path A: 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 steps
- Path B: 9 steps
Both paths lead to the same place, but Path B is quicker because it takes fewer moves.
Now, try this challenge:
- Path C: 4 steps, then 4 steps, then 4 steps again.
- Path D: 12 steps all at once.
Which path is better? Why?
Answer: Both paths are the same distance (12 steps), but Path D is one move, while Path C is three moves. So Path D is better for speed.
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that all methods are the same and picking the first one you think of.
- Why it happens: It’s easy to rush into solving a problem without thinking about other ways.
- Fix: Take a moment to think of at least two ways before solving.
- Mistake: Not checking if your answer makes sense.
- Why it happens: Sometimes you can make a mistake in your calculation and not notice.
- Fix: Ask yourself, “Does this answer make sense?” For example, if you are sharing 12 cookies with 3 people, each person can’t get more than 12 cookies!
- Mistake: Choosing the method that seems harder just because it’s different.
- Why it happens: Sometimes we think that if a method is harder, it must be better.
- Fix: Remember that the best method is the one that’s fastest, clearest, and most accurate for you.
Parent and carer guide
As a parent or carer, you can help your child compare strategies by:
- Asking questions like, “How else could we solve this?” or “Which way was easier?”
- Letting your child try different methods and talk through their thinking.
- Encouraging them to explain why they chose a certain way to solve a problem.
- Not worrying if they make a mistake — it’s part of learning!
- Using everyday situations to practice, like planning a snack or counting toys.
Try this: When you’re cooking, ask your child, “How can we share these 10 biscuits between 2 people?” Encourage them to think of more than one way to do it.
Practice questions
Which method is better for solving 10 ÷ 2: counting by 2s or using division?
Answer: Division is faster.
How many ways can you think of to solve 8 + 8?
Answer: Repeated addition (8 + 8), doubling (8 × 2), or counting on from 8.
You have 15 stickers and want to put them into 3 equal groups. How many stickers go in each group?
Answer: 5 stickers per group.
Which path is better for walking 12 steps: 4 steps at a time or 12 steps all at once?
Answer: 12 steps all at once is better for speed.
You are dividing 20 apples among 4 friends. What are two ways to solve this?
Answer: Counting by 4s or using division (20 ÷ 4).
FAQ
Why do we need to compare strategies?
Comparing strategies helps us become better problem solvers. It helps us find the fastest, easiest, or clearest way to solve a problem.
Can I always use the same method?
No, sometimes one method is better than another depending on the numbers or the situation. It’s good to be flexible!
What if I don’t know a method?
That’s okay! You can always try a simpler way or ask someone for help. Learning new methods is part of the fun.
How can I practice strategy comparison at home?
You can ask questions like, “How many ways can we solve this?” or “Which way is faster?” during everyday activities like cooking, shopping, or playing games.
Is strategy comparison only for maths?
No! Strategy comparison is useful in many areas like sports, games, planning trips, or even deciding what to wear!