Problem Schmoblems :)

 We are excellent problem solvers in Te Mahuri. No problem is too big or too small! Today we were given two tasks around pentagons.

For our first task we had to identify the vertices in this regular pentagon.   

                                                      

Next we had to join each vertex of the pentagon to the two vertices opposite. Of course we used rulers for this.

Lastly we had to count up how many triangles we saw. We all rushed back to our teachers with the number 10 and we were surprised (and a little confused) that 10 wasn't the answer. They encouraged us to look closely and search for the bigger triangles not just the small ones. Just like that the excitement continued. For any of you giving this a go, we won't spoil it by telling you the answer.

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The second task involved us learning about the concept of tessellation. Once we understood this we investigated whether the regular pentagon would tessellate on its own or if it needed another shape. 

Did you know that soccer balls also use tessellation with pentagons and hexagons?