Problems and puzzles

What’s the difference between a problem and a puzzle? The answer is… the consequences. If there are no dire consequences to getting the answer wrong, then you’re dealing with a puzzle, and it is an enjoyable mental challenge. If there are unfortunate consequences then you’ve got a problem, which is an unpleasant experience. But what constitutes unfortunate consequences? Well that rather depends on your position in life, however, for children, things that an adult would find trivial can take on great significance. Not being able to do an exercise of sums at school because the child has not understood what is required of them, can be a disaster. They may not want to ask for help, as that would mean admitting their inability to do the work, and they expect to be told off for it. They may fear being teased by other children if word gets out that they can’t do it. So they hide their inability, and what should be a maths puzzle and fun to do becomes a maths problem and a headache. This can turn them off maths for life. At Puppet Maths we don’t give our pupils maths problems, we don’t want them to experience maths adversely, Puppet Maths is the home of maths puzzles, puzzles that will develop our pupils and teach them to enjoy maths.