Name: HR:

NUMBER CHAINS
Part A
Pick 3 odd numbers. 1 number from between 1-9,10-20 and >20.
Write them down.
Carry out the following instructions to get a number chain.
 If the number is odd, multiply it by 3 and add 1.
 If the number is even, divide it by 2.
 Repeat the instructions with the new number until you reach the number 1.
For example, beginning with the number 20, we get:
20  2 = 10
10  2 = 5
5 x 3 + 1 = 16
16  2 = 8
82=4
42=2
22=1

So we have the number chain 10 5 16 8 4 2 1

There are 7 numbers in the chain.
Investigate the chains made by other numbers.

Part B
 Based on the pattern found in your odd number chains what even numbers should be chosen to
create the shortest chains? Explain your choice, support with an example.
Part C
 If you had to chose a number greater than 50 or 100 what would it be and why? Support your
answer
 If you were to do this investigation again, what 3 odd numbers would you chose and why? Support
your answer
Level Descriptor Indicators
0 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8
E D C B A
The student makes _______ of
mathematical problem-solving techniques UNABLE BASIC USE SUFFICIENT
NO WITH BASIC USE GOOD USE
B1 to recognize patterns. ______ number SOME
USE
ALL
SUPPORT MOST
chains were calculated correctly – FEW
Part A)
The student ________________
identifies the pattern in the odd number WAS UNABLE STATES
B2 SUGGESTS ATTEMPTS TO CORRECTLY
chains. (Part B) TO

Student _________identifies which

numbers greater than 50 and 100 to create
the shortest chain (Part C – 1) ATTEMPTED
ATTEMPTED
WAS UNABLE WAS UNABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY
B3 Sudent __________identifies which odd WITH
ATTEMPTED SUCCESSFULLY
TO WAS UNABLE
numbers they should choose if they had SUPPORT
TO
to do Part A again (Part C- 2)

Level Descriptor Indicators

0 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8
E D C B A

The student __________ used appropriate

mathematical language to explain why they choose WAS UNABLE TO RARELY SOMETIMES USUALLY CONSISTENTLY
C1 the even numbers in Part B and ___________ DID NOT ATTEMPTED TO ADEQUATELY ACCURATELY
supported their choice.

The student __________ used appropriate SOMETIMES

mathematical language to explain why they choose WAS UNABLE TO RARELY USUALLY CONSISTENTLY
C2 the even numbers in Part C and ___________ ATTEMPTED TO
DID NOT ADEQUATELY ACCURATELY
supported their choice.

Student calculations are _________ WAS UNABLE

C3 RARELY
correct for the number chains and ______ TO SOME MOST ALL
C4 necessary steps are included. A FEW

WAS UNABLE
The student presented work that is _________
C5 TO RAR ELY SOMETIMES USUALLY CONSISTENTLY
organized using a logical structure.

How you could have improved your result