Tables and chairs

Overview

Using this Resource

Connecting to the Curriculum

Marking Student Responses

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Further Resources

This task is about spatial patterns and rules.

A room has tables that are shaped like this. Each table can seat 5 people.

one table with 5 chairs

Here is a picture of 3 tables in a row.

3 tables with 11 chairs

Question 1Change answer

a) Six tables are put together in one long row (as above).

How many people could be seated? people

b) 35 people needed to be seated in one long line of tables (arranged as above).

How many tables would be needed? tables

c) Write a rule to work out the number of people that could be seated in a long row of any number of tables.

Rule:

Task administration:

This task is completed with pencil and paper or online with some auto-marking.

Level:

Curriculum info:

Keywords:

Description of task:

Students answer two questions about the number of seats available as more tables are added to a row, and state a rule for the pattern.

Learning Progression Frameworks

This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with

within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.

Answers/responses:

		Y8 (04/1997)	Y9 (04/1997)
a)	20	moderate	moderate
b)	11	difficult	difficult
c)	"Multiply the number of tables by 3 and add 2' (3n + 2). Also accept: 5 + 3 (n - 1) ["5 seats with 1 table with 3 more for each subsequent table"]. 5n - 2 (n - 1) ["5 seats per table minus 2 seats each time tables are put together"].	very difficult	difficult

Diagnostic and formative information:

	Common error	Likely calculation	Likely misconception
a)	22 30	11 × 2 6 × 5	Calculate twice the number of people at 3 tables. 5 people at each table rather than an extra 3.
b)	7	35 ÷ 5	5 people at each table rather than an extra 3.
c)	5 per table	-	5 people at each table rather than an extra 3.