The magic box

The following is a special box.

Whatever is put in the box comes out changed in some way.

Can you figure out the pattern for how the box is working?

If 1 coin is put in the box, 2 coins come out.

If 2 coins are put in the box, 3 coins come out.

What might happen if we put 3 coins in the box?

When you are ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal the answer.

Answer

Explore the following T-chart.

The IN column shows how many things we are putting in the box.

The OUT column shows how many things come out of the box.

What do you notice about the pattern?

What do you predict will happen if we put in 4 coins? Why?

When you are ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal what would happen if we added 4 coins.

Answer

What would happen if we put in 49 coins?

Answer

Another magic box!

In the previous Magic Box activity, the box was adding one coin each time.

The following is a different magic box!

How will it change the coins?

Use the following fillable and printable Magic Box 2 T-chart to record what is happening or use a method of your choice.

Ready? Here are the coins that went in and came out. Record these amounts on your chart.

• First, we put in 1 coin. 4 coins came out.
• Then we put in 2 coins. 5 coins came out.
• Next, we put in 3 coins. 6 coins came out.

If we put in 4 coins, what will come out?

Make a prediction! Record it on your chart.

How do you know?

What is this box doing?

When you are ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal what the box is doing.

Answer

If we put in 20 coins, how many coins would come out?

When you are ready, press the ‘Answer’ button to reveal how many coins would come out.

Answer

Make a magic box

Now it is your turn to make your own magic box.

First, think of what number your box will add each time.

Choose a number that is 10 or smaller to add.

What things will you put into box? Coins? Cubes? Pencils? Paper clips?

Make a T-chart to record what happens when things go into the box. You can use the following fillable and printable “Magic Box T-Chart” to make your chart. You can also complete your chart in your notebook or using another method of your choice.

You may wish to use manipulatives to model what the box is doing.

Solving patterns

This final Magic Box is a bit different.

First, we put in 1 coin. 2 coins come out.

Next, we put in 2 coins. 4 coins come out.

Then we put in 3 coins. 6 coins come out.

When we put in 4 coins, 8 coins come out.

• What do you notice about this magic box?
• What do you think is happening?
• What makes you think that?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Your turn

What do you think will happen if we put 5 coins in the Magic Box?

How about 10 coins?

What about 20 coins?

Use the following fillable and printable document Magic Box 3 T-Chart to make your predictions. You can also complete this activity in your notebook or using another method.

How can we describe the pattern?

Explain your ideas about this pattern.

What is this Magic Box doing to the coins? How do you know?

Record your ideas in a notebook or a method of your choice.

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.