NRICH - Tea Cups

Problem Solving
Key Stages: 2 and 3 ★★★

Aunt Jane has sixteen cups and saucers, four of each of four colours. Can you arrange them in a 4x4 grid so that each colour of cup and saucer appears once in each row and column, with each cup/saucer pair occurring once?

This problem is an excellent way for pupils to problem solve. It lends itself to small group work, so learners have an opportunity to decide on approaches. Afterwards, groups can discuss the different solutions, and each method's strengths and weaknesses. Using the introductory story, it is also a good problem for pupils to decide what information is useful.

This resource has comprehensive teachers' notes and resources, linked from the problem page. This includes possible approaches and key questions, as well as possible support and extensions.


The file attached is a HTML file, which, when opened, automatically redirects you to the problem on the NRICH website.