Teacher Notes
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TIMS Challenge
You can use this DPP as a whole class activity or assign it as the Problem of the Week. Depending on the time available, you can use the numbers 1–5 as targets, choose more target numbers (e.g., 1–8) or fewer (e.g., 1–3).
Write the numbers you have chosen across the board to make columns. Have students work in pairs and put their solutions on the board as they come up with them. Students who identify an error can explain why it is incorrect and give the student who wrote it a chance to make a correction. Challenge the class to see how many different solutions they can find for each number.
At least one possible solution is given for numbers 1–11.
1: 7 + 4 − 2 × 5
2: 24 ÷ (7 + 5)
3: 4 × 5 ÷ 2 − 7; 27 ÷ (4 + 5)
4: 7 + 5 − 2 × 4
5: (5 + 7) ÷ 4 + 2
Challenge students to continue with numbers 6–11.
6: 5 × 4 − 2 × 7
7: 2 × 5 + 4 − 7
8: 7 + 4 − 5 + 2; 7 + 4 + 2 − 5
9: 7 + 2 ÷ (5 − 4)
10: 7 + 2 + (5 − 4)
11: 42 ÷ 7 + 5
J. Target Practice
Play the game Operation Target. Use the digits 2, 4, 5, and 7 to make the numbers from 1 to 5. Use each digit once to make each number. Use any of the four operations: +, −, ×, and ÷. You may use the digits to form 2-digit numbers. Do not forget the order of operations, and use parentheses when needed.
