SE 10.01Binomial Cube
The child builds a cube from eight pieces (two cubes and six prisms) in a box, following the color pattern on the lid.
Presentation
- 1
Carry the box to the table and open the two sides and the lid.
- 2
Take out the pieces from the top layer, then the bottom layer, placing each piece in a row on the table grouped by layer.
- 3
Look at the lid pattern.
- 4
Build the bottom layer: place the red cube first in the corner, then the prisms around it so black faces touch black faces.
- 5
Build the top layer the same way.
- 6
Check that the top of the cube matches the pattern on the lid.
- 7
Close the sides and the lid.
Extensions, easiest to hardest
- Build the cube outside the box on the table.
- Sort the pieces by shape and color before building.
- Build the cube without looking at the lid.
Control of error
Black faces always touch black faces; if a piece is wrong, a colored face touches a black one, the lid pattern does not match, or the box will not close.
Ready to move on when the child…
- Builds the cube in the box without help
- Builds it outside the box
- Builds it without looking at the lid
Guide note
Present only as a puzzle. Do not name a, b, or the formula; that comes in the elementary classroom.