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Problem Solving

Convince me maths prompts

Ask children to prove, explain or justify a claim.

Quick answer

Convince me maths prompts are questions that ask children to explain, prove, or justify their thinking when solving maths problems. They help children become better at maths by making them think more deeply and communicate their ideas clearly.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to explain your maths thinking clearly and show why your answer is correct when solving problems. Success signs:
  • You can explain your maths thinking using words, pictures, or numbers
  • You can show your working out when solving a problem
  • You can check if your answer makes sense
  • You can ask questions to help others understand your maths

Why this matters

Problem-solving is one of the most important skills in maths. When you can convince someone that your answer is right, it means you really understand the maths. This skill helps you in school, in games, and in everyday life. In real life, you might need to convince someone that you have enough money for a toy, or that your team will win a game. Maths helps you make good decisions and prove your thinking is correct. The more you practice explaining your maths, the better you become at solving problems.

How it works

Convince me maths prompts help you think more deeply about your answers. Here's how it works:
  1. Start with a problem – You get a maths question to solve
  2. Think and solve – You work out the answer using maths
  3. Explain your thinking – You tell others how you solved it
  4. Justify your answer – You show why your answer is correct
When you do this, you're not just guessing. You're using maths to prove your thinking. This makes your maths stronger and helps you learn better.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at a few examples of how to use "convince me" prompts. Example 1: Counting Question: There are 12 apples in a basket. You take 5 apples. How many apples are left? Your answer: 7 apples. How to convince me: I took 5 apples from 12 apples. That means 12 minus 5 equals 7. I can show this by counting backwards from 12: 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7. So, 7 apples are left. Example 2: Sharing Question: You have 18 biscuits to share equally between 3 friends. How many biscuits does each friend get? Your answer: 6 biscuits. How to convince me: I divided 18 biscuits into 3 equal groups. Each group has 6 biscuits. So, 18 divided by 3 equals 6. I can check by adding 6 + 6 + 6 = 18. Example 3: Patterns Question: What comes next in the pattern 2, 4, 6, 8, ? Your answer: 10. How to convince me: The pattern goes up by 2 each time. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. So, the next number is 10.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Maths Detective You are a maths detective trying to solve a mystery. Someone has hidden a treasure, and you need to solve clues to find it. Clue 1: There are 24 cookies to share equally between 4 friends. How many cookies does each friend get? Your answer: 6 cookies. How to convince me: I divided 24 cookies into 4 equal groups. Each group has 6 cookies. So, 24 ÷ 4 = 6. Clue 2: The treasure map shows a path that is 15 steps long. You have already walked 9 steps. How many more steps do you need to walk? Your answer: 6 steps. How to convince me: I know the path is 15 steps long. I have walked 9 steps. So, 15 minus 9 equals 6. I can count backwards from 15 to 9: 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9. That’s 6 steps. Clue 3: The treasure box is locked with a code. The code is the answer to 7 + 7 + 7. What is the code? Your answer: 21. How to convince me: 7 + 7 + 7 = 21. I can add them up: 7 + 7 = 14, and 14 + 7 = 21. Clue 4: You have 3 boxes, and each box has 5 toys. How many toys are there in total? Your answer: 15 toys. How to convince me: I have 3 boxes. Each box has 5 toys. So, 3 times 5 equals 15. I can draw 3 groups of 5 toys each, and count them all. That’s 15 toys. Clue 5: You have 10 stickers. You give 3 to your friend. How many stickers do you have now? Your answer: 7 stickers. How to convince me: I had 10 stickers. I gave 3 to my friend. So, 10 minus 3 equals 7. I can count backwards from 10: 10, 9, 8, 7. So, 7 stickers. You’ve solved all the clues! The treasure is yours!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Not showing your working out. Why it happens: Children think the answer is enough. Fix: Always write or draw how you solved the problem. This helps you and others understand your thinking.
  • Mistake: Not checking if the answer makes sense. Why it happens: Children rush through problems. Fix: Ask yourself, “Does my answer make sense?” If you have 12 apples and take 5, you should have less than 12 apples.
  • Mistake: Using the wrong operation. Why it happens: Confusion between adding and subtracting. Fix: Look for keywords like “more,” “less,” “total,” or “left.” These help you choose the right operation.
  • Mistake: Not explaining your thinking clearly. Why it happens: Children are unsure how to say their maths. Fix: Practice saying your maths out loud. Use words like “I added,” “I counted,” or “I divided.”

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child with "convince me" maths prompts in just 5-10 minutes:
  • Ask questions like “How did you solve this?” or “Can you show me how you know?”
  • Encourage drawing or using objects to explain their thinking
  • Listen carefully and ask them to repeat their thinking if needed
  • Give praise when they explain their maths well
  • Don’t worry if they make mistakes – that’s how they learn
Remember: The goal is not to get the right answer every time. It's to help your child explain how they think. This builds confidence and deeper understanding.

Practice questions

  1. Question: You have 15 pencils. You give 6 to your friend. How many do you have left? Answer: 9 pencils.
  2. Question: There are 4 rows of chairs. Each row has 6 chairs. How many chairs are there in total? Answer: 24 chairs.
  3. Question: What is 8 + 8 + 8? Answer: 24.
  4. Question: You have 20 sweets. You eat 5. How many sweets are left? Answer: 15 sweets.
  5. Question: There are 3 bags of marbles. Each bag has 7 marbles. How many marbles are there in total? Answer: 21 marbles.

FAQ

What does "convince me" mean in maths?

It means you need to explain your thinking and prove that your answer is correct using words, pictures, or numbers.

Why do I need to explain my maths?

Explaining helps you understand your maths better. It also helps others understand how you think and helps you find mistakes.

Can I use objects to explain my maths?

Yes! You can use toys, counters, or drawings to show how you solved a problem.

What if I get the answer wrong?

That’s okay! The important thing is to try to explain your thinking. If you get it wrong, you can learn from it and try again.

How can I practice "convince me" maths at home?

You can ask your child to explain their maths when they solve a problem. You can also play games where they need to explain how they got their answer.