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Themed maths

Prior-knowledge relay and maths bingo for IB Maths

Find out what your new class remembers from MYP or GCSE, without a test. ‘Find someone who…’ bingo gets everyone moving, then a team relay where each answer is needed for the next question checks the prior learning the course builds on.

Level
IB Maths SL and HL (AA and AI)
Time
35 minutes, plus a 10-minute extension
Topics
Prior learning: indices, algebra and functions; Sequences and series; Right-angled triangle trigonometry
Equipment
No GDC needed.

Download student sheet (PDF)Answers (PDF)

Suggested timings

PartTimeWhat
Starter5 minQuick questions on the board
Main: task A10 minLeg 1: number and algebra
Main: task B10 minLeg 2: functions
Main: task C10 minLeg 3: triangles and data
Extension10 minFast finishers or homework

Starter (5 minutes)

‘Find someone who can…’ bingo: a different classmate for each square.

  1. Find someone who can expand (2x − 3)2.
  2. Find someone who can find the gradient of the line through (1, 2) and (4, 11).
  3. Find someone who can simplify (x3)2 × x−4.
  4. Find someone who can solve x2 − 5x + 6 = 0.

Main activity (30 minutes)

Task A: Leg 1: number and algebra (10 min)

Each answer is passed to the next person.

  1. Evaluate 82/3. Pass on A.
  2. Solve 2x = A3. Pass on B = x.
  3. Find the sum of the first B terms of 3, 7, 11, … Pass it on as C.
  4. Write C as a product of prime factors.

Task B: Leg 2: functions (10 min)

Each answer is passed to the next person.

  1. f(x) = 3x − 5. Find f(4). Pass on A.
  2. g(x) = 2x + 1. Find g−1(A). Pass it on as B.
  3. Solve x2 − Bx − 10 = 0 and pass on the positive root as C.
  4. Write down the vertex of y = (x − C)2 + 2.

Task C: Leg 3: triangles and data (10 min)

Each answer is passed to the next person.

  1. A right-angled triangle has shorter sides 6 cm and 8 cm. Find the hypotenuse. Pass on A.
  2. The mean of four numbers is A. Three of them are 7, 12 and 9. Find the fourth. Pass it on as B.
  3. A right-angled triangle has shorter sides 5 and B. Find the hypotenuse. Pass it on as C.
  4. In that triangle, find the exact value of cos θ, where θ is the angle opposite the side of length 5.

Extension (10 minutes)

For fast finishers.

  1. Find the exact distance between (1, 2) and (4, 6), and the midpoint.

For teachers

Teacher notes and full worked answers
  • ‘Find someone who…’ bingo (starter): students walk round with the sheet and find a different classmate who can do each one; that classmate writes the answer and their initials. First to fill the sheet with correct answers wins. It mixes the class and shows you, at a glance, what was remembered from last year.
  • Relay: teams of four sit in a row. Student 1 answers question (a) and passes the answer to student 2, who needs it for (b), and so on. The team brings you the final answer; if it is wrong, they find the broken link together. Nothing is recorded on the site.
  • Afterwards, set the baseline test for a fuller picture of what each student remembers; 20 multiple-choice questions with an instant topic-by-topic report.

Starter

  1. 4x2 − 12x + 9
    • (2x)2 − 2 × 2x × 3 + 9
  2. 3
    • (11 − 2)/(4 − 1) = 3
  3. x2
    • x6 − 4
  4. x = 2 or x = 3
    • (x − 2)(x − 3) = 0

Task A: Leg 1: number and algebra

  1. 4
    • (∛8)2 = 22
  2. 6
    • 43 = 64 = 26
  3. 78
    • S6 = 6/2 × (2 × 3 + 5 × 4) = 3 × 26 = 78
  4. 2 × 3 × 13
    • 78 = 2 × 39 = 2 × 3 × 13

Task B: Leg 2: functions

  1. 7
    • 12 − 5 = 7
  2. 3
    • 2x + 1 = 7 gives x = 3
  3. 5
    • (x − 5)(x + 2) = 0
  4. (5, 2)
    • The vertex of (x − h)2 + k is (h, k).

Task C: Leg 3: triangles and data

  1. 10
    • √(36 + 64) = 10
  2. 12
    • 4 × 10 = 40
    • 40 − 28 = 12
  3. 13
    • √(25 + 144) = 13
  4. 12/13
    • The side next to θ is 12 and the hypotenuse is 13.

Extension

  1. 5; (2.5, 4)
    • √(32 + 42) = 5
    • ((1 + 4)/2, (2 + 6)/2) = (2.5, 4)

The same answers are in the answers PDF. Every answer was recomputed by computer before publishing.

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