Problem-solving for pairs and groups
Use roles, discussion and shared recording to solve together.
Quick answer
Problem-solving for pairs and groups means working together with a friend or team to figure out maths problems. You can take turns sharing ideas, listening to each other, and writing down your thinking so everyone understands the solution.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to work with a friend or group to solve maths problems by:- Sharing your ideas and listening to others
- Using words or drawings to show your thinking
- Working together to find the answer
- Checking that your solution makes sense
Why this matters
Problem-solving for pairs and groups is important because:- It helps you understand maths better by talking through it
- Working together can help you think of new ideas
- It makes maths more fun when you do it with friends
- Many real-life problems need teamwork to solve
- It helps you learn to explain your thinking clearly
How it works
When you work on maths problems with a partner or group, here's what happens:- Decide who will be the speaker and the listener - one person talks about their ideas, the other listens carefully
- Think about what the problem is asking - read it together and talk about what you understand
- Share your ideas - tell your partner what you think might work
- Draw or write down your thinking - use pictures, numbers, or words to show your work
- Check your answer together - make sure it makes sense and answers the question
Examples you can see
Let's look at a simple problem: There are 12 apples. You want to share them equally between 4 friends. How many apples does each friend get? Step 1: Read the problem together and decide what you need to do. Step 2: One person says: "I think we need to divide 12 by 4." The other person listens. Step 3: You might draw 12 apples and divide them into 4 groups.| Friend 1 | Friend 2 | Friend 3 | Friend 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🍎🍎 | 🍎🍎 | 🍎🍎 | 🍎🍎 |
| 🍎🍎 | 🍎🍎 | 🍎🍎 | 🍎🍎 |
Try it as a mini adventure
Adventure: The Treasure Hunt You and your friend are on a treasure hunt. You find a map with this clue: "There are 24 coins hidden in 6 treasure chests. How many coins are in each chest?"- First step: Read the clue together and decide what you need to do.
- Second step: One of you draws 6 treasure chests and puts coins in them.
- Third step: You both count the coins in each chest to see if they're equal.
- Fourth step: Write down the answer: 24 ÷ 6 = 4 coins per chest.
- Fifth step: Check that 4 × 6 = 24. Yes, that's correct!
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Not listening to your partner
Why it happens: You might be too excited to share your idea.
Fix: Use a signal like "Wait, let me listen" or "Can you tell me what you think?" - Mistake: Thinking the answer is wrong just because you didn't get it first
Why it happens: You might feel like you have to be right all the time.
Fix: Remember that everyone can learn from each other and that it's okay to change your mind. - Mistake: Not writing down your thinking
Why it happens: You might think it's too hard to draw or write.
Fix: Start with simple drawings or use words to show your thinking.
Parent and carer guide
Here's how you can help your child with problem-solving for pairs and groups:- Ask questions: "What do you think the problem is asking?" or "Can you explain how you solved it?"
- Encourage sharing: Let both children speak and listen to each other.
- Use everyday examples: "You have 10 cookies and want to share them with your brother. How many will each of you get?"
- Make it fun: Turn problem-solving into a game or story.
- Don't rush: Let your child take time to think and talk through the problem.
- Check for understanding: Make sure your child knows why their answer makes sense.
Practice questions
- There are 18 pencils to share between 3 friends. How many pencils does each friend get?
Answer: 6 pencils - There are 20 stickers and 5 friends. How many stickers does each friend get?
Answer: 4 stickers - There are 15 balloons and 3 groups. How many balloons are in each group?
Answer: 5 balloons - There are 24 crayons to share between 4 children. How many crayons does each child get?
Answer: 6 crayons - There are 30 marbles and 6 teams. How many marbles are in each team?
Answer: 5 marbles
FAQ
Why should I work on maths problems with a friend?
Working with a friend helps you understand maths better because you can talk through your ideas. Your friend might think of something you didn't, and you can learn from each other.
What if I don't agree with my friend's answer?
That's okay! When you disagree, you can talk about why you think differently. Sometimes, you'll both be right, or you might find a new way to solve the problem together.
How do I know if my answer is right?
You can check by adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing again. You can also ask yourself: "Does this make sense?" For example, if you're sharing 12 cookies between 4 friends, each friend should get 3 cookies.
What if I'm not good at maths?
Everyone can get better at maths with practice and teamwork. Working with a friend can make it easier to understand. You're learning together, so it's okay if you don't know the answer right away.
Can I do this with my family?
Yes! You can solve problems with your parents, siblings, or even your pets. The more people you work with, the more ideas you'll have. Just remember to listen to each other and share your thinking.