Combinations

Sometimes you look for all the ways things can be combined.
A table helps you to work systematically: every field is one combination.

Example: 2 patterns (dotted, striped) and 3 shapes (circle, triangle, square).
Go through the table field by field and check off each combination. That way you miss none and count none twice.

You answer the questions below the table with rows and columns: one row contains as many combinations as the table has shapes.

Example

How many combinations show a circle?2

For parents

What does this exercise practice?

Solve combinatorial tasks (number of possibilities) systematically using a table and justify them with rows and columns.

Common pitfalls

Counting freely makes it easy to skip a combination or count one twice. Tip: always go in the same order, row by row.

How to practice at home

At home, combine for example 3 T-shirts with 3 pairs of trousers. How many outfits is that? Does multiplying work?

Related: Certain, possible or impossible?, Number riddles

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