Primary mathematics/Activities/Three block towers

Three block towers is a primary mathematics activity for ages 5-11. This is a basic introduction to combinatorics. To do the three block tower you will need 18 blocks, 6 of three different colours. Older children may be able to do 4 blocks and also graph their results. If you don't have enough blocks of the same colour, you can use the printables on the NRICH website to colour them in instead.

Materials

• 
  18 Blocks, LEGO, DUPLO or similar, 6 each of one colour. (I.e. 6 blue blocks, 6 yellow blocks, and 6 red blocks.)

Directions

How many different towers can you make with three blocks using one of each of the three colours?

How many different towers can you make with two blocks using one of each of two colours?

What about only one colour? Or four colours?

Graph your results!