About my 9 year old's maths work. Help!!

[StellaStarfleet]

Hi. I'm feeling very stupid right now because my son needs help with his problem solving homework and I cannot figure it out.

You're given sets of 3 numbers, and need to work out the relationship between them. I've figure out some sets but not others.

As I'm new, I cant upload photos so will need to type it out.

First group.
16 20 32

4 12 64

8 8 24

60 4 36

Need to figure out how the sets of 3 relate to one another, and the rule will work for all 4 sets.

Here is an easy example to show what I mean

6 7 42
1 1 1
4 16 4
9 18 2

For this one, the rule is to times 2 of the numbers together to get the third number. I need a rule for the first group. Please help!

Have you copy and pasted these correctly? (The second one is certainly wrong, as it's doesn't satisfy your "rule")

multiples of 4?

Ah sorry - I get what you mean - you have to multiply any 2 numbers to get the third; not the first two numbers to get the third.

The second one is right.
6x7=42
1×1=1
4×4=16
9×2=18

The order of the numbers doesnt matter. Just need to find what rule connects the 3 numbers and it needs to work down the whole group. But we cannot figure out a rule for the first group.

Let your DC say they can't do it.

Not obvious to me at all, especially as numbers aren't even in the same order for your 'easy' example.

Are the sets of three in a particular order? Or random?

Cross-posted, sorry.

No particular order. Just 3 numbers and need to find the pattern that works for the group of 3 number sets.

We've left a message for the teacher but after no response and he is worrying about handing it in.

There are all in 4 time tables or they are all divided by 4 (it depends if they are on multiplication or decision). I would give it more connection but for 9 year old that is probably the answer they are after.

I think the answer they want is
Multiples of 4

That's what I thought, but we have 4 questions like this and the other 3 all have 2 of the numbers doing sometbing to make the 3rd number. So this would be the only group with a more open answer of "all numbers are multiples of 4".

We'll go with it so he has something and hope for a reply from the teacher. Thanks all.

Multiples of 4, sure. But it's a bit basic in comparison with the other example given. And why have a line 8,8,24? Why not 8, 16, 24 or some other multiple of 4. Why repeat the number in that set unless it was necessary?

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Multiples of 4, sure. But it's a bit basic in comparison with the other example given. And why have a line 8,8,24? Why not 8, 16, 24 or some other multiple of 4. Why repeat the number in that set unless it was necessary?

I agree with you. I don't think "multiples of 4" is the right answer

I have no idea! Please update when you get an answer from the teacher.

Apart from being multiples of four, I have no idea and neither do my 11 or 16 year old.

I love stuff like this but I can’t see anything yet. I struggle when I don’t know for sure which of the three numbers is the answer.

Agree there is really no harm in handing it in without an answer or just saying it is multiples of four (that said I understand him being worried/upset about not doing it) 💐