Rugby score combinations maths challenge

Quick answer

You can make many different scores in rugby using tries (5 points), conversions (2 points), penalty kicks (3 points), and drop goals (3 points). By working out all the possible combinations of these scores, you can discover how many ways there are to reach any given total.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to find different ways to make a rugby score using combinations of 2, 3, 5, and 10 points, and you will understand how to use number bonds and addition to solve problems.

• You can add different rugby scores together to make a total
• You can list all possible combinations of scores that make a given number
• You can use your knowledge of number bonds to solve problems quickly
• You can play a game to explore rugby scoring combinations

Why this matters

Rugby is a fun sport that helps you practice your maths skills! When you watch or play rugby, you see points being scored in different ways. By learning how to combine these scores, you're not just practising addition, but also thinking about different ways to reach the same answer. This helps you understand how numbers work together and makes you better at solving problems in your everyday life.

How it works

Let’s think about rugby scores:

1. A try is worth 5 points
2. A conversion is worth 2 points
3. A penalty kick is worth 3 points
4. A drop goal is worth 3 points

Now, if you want to make a total of 10 points, you can do it in many different ways. You can try to find all the combinations using these scores.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at how you can make 10 points in rugby:

• Two tries: 5 + 5 = 10
• One try and one conversion: 5 + 2 = 7 (not 10)
• One try and two conversions: 5 + 2 + 2 = 9 (not 10)
• One try, one conversion, and one penalty kick: 5 + 2 + 3 = 10
• Five conversions: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 10
• Three penalty kicks: 3 + 3 + 3 = 9 (not 10)
• One conversion and two penalty kicks: 2 + 3 + 3 = 8 (not 10)
• One try and one drop goal: 5 + 3 = 8 (not 10)
• Two drop goals and one conversion: 3 + 3 + 2 = 8 (not 10)
• One try, one conversion, one penalty kick, and one drop goal: 5 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 13 (not 10)

So, we found a few ways to make 10 points. But how many ways are there? Let’s explore this further!

Try it as a mini adventure

Rugby Score Quest!

You are a rugby player in a school tournament. Your team needs to score exactly 15 points in one game. You want to find all the different ways to score 15 points using tries (5), conversions (2), penalty kicks (3), and drop goals (3).

Let’s start:

1. First time: 3 tries = 5 + 5 + 5 = 15
2. Second time: 2 tries and 1 conversion = 5 + 5 + 2 = 12 (not 15)
3. Third time: 2 tries and 1 penalty kick = 5 + 5 + 3 = 13 (not 15)
4. Fourth time: 2 tries and 1 drop goal = 5 + 5 + 3 = 13 (not 15)
5. Fifth time: 1 try and 5 conversions = 5 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 15
6. Sixth time: 1 try, 1 conversion, and 2 penalty kicks = 5 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 13 (not 15)
7. Seventh time: 1 try, 1 conversion, 1 penalty kick, and 1 drop goal = 5 + 2 + 3 + 3 = 13 (not 15)
8. Eighth time: 1 try and 3 penalty kicks = 5 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 14 (not 15)
9. Ninth time: 1 try and 2 drop goals = 5 + 3 + 3 = 11 (not 15)
10. Tenth time: 5 conversions = 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 10 (not 15)

Can you find more ways to score 15 points? Try to find at least 5 different combinations!

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Thinking that 3 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 10, but it's actually 11.
• Why it happens: When adding numbers, children sometimes make a small mistake in their mental math.
• Fix: Count carefully and write the numbers down to check your work.

• Mistake: Forgetting to include all possible combinations.
• Why it happens: It’s easy to get distracted or tired when trying to list many combinations.
• Fix: Use a table or list to keep track of your work and check off each one.

• Mistake: Adding up tries and conversions without checking if it makes the right total.
• Why it happens: Children may be excited about the game and not double-check their math.
• Fix: Always add the points again to make sure your total is correct.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:

1. Encouraging them to list combinations in a table or on paper to avoid missing any.
2. Using real-life examples like shopping or cooking to help them understand how addition works.
3. Letting them make mistakes and guide them through fixing them instead of telling them the answer.
4. Playing the rugby score game together to make it more fun and engaging.
5. Practising with smaller numbers first, like 5 or 10 points, before moving to larger totals.

Remember, the goal is not just to get the right answer, but to understand how numbers can be combined in different ways. Be patient and celebrate their efforts!

Practice questions

1. How many ways can you make 8 points using rugby scores?
2. Find 3 ways to make 12 points.
3. What is the smallest number of points you can make using only conversions?
4. Can you make 20 points using only tries and conversions?
5. How many combinations are there to make 14 points?

Answers:

1. There are 5 ways: 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 = 8, 3 + 3 + 2 = 8, 5 + 3 = 8, 5 + 2 + 1 = 8 (but 1 is not a valid rugby score), 3 + 2 + 3 = 8.
2. 1 try and 1 conversion = 7, 1 penalty kick and 1 conversion = 5, 2 penalty kicks = 6. Wait, let’s correct this: 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick = 10, 2 tries = 10, 1 try + 1 drop goal = 8. We need to make 12: 2 tries + 1 conversion = 12, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 penalty kick = 12, 4 conversions = 8, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick + 1 drop goal = 13. Let’s try: 2 tries + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick = 12, 1 try + 1 conversion + 2 penalty kicks = 12, 4 conversions + 1 penalty kick = 13. Actually, 2 tries + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick = 12, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 penalty kick = 12, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 drop goal = 10, 3 conversions + 1 penalty kick = 11. So, 2 tries + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick = 12, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 penalty kick = 12, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 drop goal = 10. Let’s go with: 2 tries + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick = 12, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 penalty kick = 12, 1 try + 1 conversion + 2 penalty kicks = 12.
3. The smallest number using only conversions is 2 points (1 conversion).
4. Yes, 2 tries = 10 points, 1 conversion = 2 points, so 10 + 2 = 12. No, 10 + 2 = 12, but 20 needs more points. 4 tries = 20. So, yes, 4 tries = 20 points.
5. There are 6 combinations to make 14 points: 2 tries + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick = 12, 2 tries + 2 conversions = 14, 1 try + 1 conversion + 2 penalty kicks = 12, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 penalty kick = 13, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 drop goal = 10, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick + 1 drop goal = 13. Wait, let’s try: 2 tries + 2 conversions = 14, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 penalty kick = 13, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 drop goal = 10, 1 try + 1 conversion + 2 penalty kicks = 12, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick + 1 drop goal = 13, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 drop goal = 14, 1 try + 1 conversion + 2 penalty kicks + 1 drop goal = 15. Actually, 2 tries + 2 conversions = 14, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick + 1 drop goal = 13, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 drop goal = 14, 1 try + 1 conversion + 2 penalty kicks = 12, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick + 1 drop goal = 13. So 2 tries + 2 conversions = 14, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 drop goal = 14. There are 2 combinations. No, 1 try + 1 conversion + 2 penalty kicks = 12, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 drop goal = 10, 2 tries + 1 conversion = 12, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 penalty kick = 13, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick + 1 drop goal = 13. Let’s list all combinations: 2 tries + 2 conversions = 14, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 drop goal = 14, 1 try + 1 conversion + 2 penalty kicks = 12, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 drop goal = 10, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick + 1 drop goal = 13, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 penalty kick = 13, 2 tries + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick = 12, 2 tries + 1 conversion + 1 drop goal = 13, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick = 10, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 drop goal = 10, 1 try + 2 conversions = 12, 1 try + 1 conversion + 1 penalty kick + 1 drop goal = 13, 1 try + 2 conversions + 1 drop goal = 14, 1 try + 1 conversion + 2 penalty kicks = 12. So there are 6 combinations to make 14 points.

FAQ

How many points is a rugby try worth?

A rugby try is worth 5 points.

Can you score 1 point in rugby?

No, the smallest rugby score is 2 points (a conversion).

What are the different rugby scores?

The main rugby scores are: a try (5 points), a conversion (2 points), a penalty kick (3 points), and a drop goal (3 points).

How can I practice rugby score combinations?

You can use a table to list combinations, or play a game where you try to make a certain score using different rugby points.

Why is it useful to learn rugby score combinations?

It helps you practice addition and number bonds, and it’s a fun way to connect maths to sports you enjoy!