Mathematical Christmas Tree

Description and Materials

Description

This puzzle is based on the “Triangle with a Difference”.
You can play with it using paper and pencil or printing out our Christmas template.

Materials
  • Cards
  • Pencils
  • Template here

Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Cut out your Christmas tree decorations
  2. Hang your ornaments on the tree
  3. Place the numbers 1 to 15 so that each ball ornament is the difference between the two ornaments immediately below it, to left and right.
  4. The first three ornaments have been done for you.
    5 is the difference between 9 and 4. (9 – 4 = 5)
  5. Discuss strategies

Check out this link for extensions:
https://www.mathsweek.ie/2025/maths-at-home-activities/#activity15triangle

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What’s behind? STEM tips

What’s behind? STEM tips

This card game involving subtraction will have participants develop their problem-solving strategies.