Are you trying to plan a complicated trip this Christmas, trying to see if you can fit in visiting many relatives and friends? Will you manage to visit them all? As always, maths can help. First try this...

Picture the numbers 1 to 100 written in a 10x10 grid. Start at the number 42 and move around the grid by either multiplying by 2, or subtracting 5. One possible route is 42 ,37, 32, 27, 22, 17, 12, 7, 14, 9, 18, 13, 26, 52, 47, 42, 84... as shown in the image to the right. Which of the numbers can you visit? Can you visit them all?

You can explore this using the interactivity on the Wild maths website, and some more questions to explore. Good luck in your travels - both mathematical and physical!

Wild Maths encourages students to explore maths beyond the classroom and is designed to nurture mathematical creativity. The site is aimed at 7 to 16 year-olds, but open to all. It provides games, investigations, stories and spaces to explore, where discoveries are to be made. Some have starting points, some a big question and others offer you a free space to investigate.

Return to the Plus Advent Calendar