Descriptive Numbers

3. Naming Types

It is probably time to gather all these discoveries together hopefully bringing order to chaos.

"What kinds of Descriptive numbers have we found so far?"

Further discussion might establish these types:

"Will all numbers be SENSIBLE, QUIET or NOISY?"

"No because some don't work."

Discussion should centre on dividing the whole numbers into two categories: DESCRIPTIVE and NOT-DESCRIPTIVE with subdivision of DESCRIPTIVE into the three types SENSIBLE, QUIET and NOISY.

"What are we going to call 31?"

"Three 1's. That's a lie. Call it a LYING number"

"And so what about 311?"

"It doesn't make sense: three 1's and one what? It's a DAFT number"

"Does this take care of all numbers. Five types?"

At this point the class should be asked, in groups, to classify all the numbers from 1 to 50 say, under the headings: SENSIBLE, QUIET, NOISY, LYING and DAFT

Here is a table of results:

"I wouldn't trust these numbers! They're a crowd of liars!! Only one sensible number among them. At least there are no noisy ones. Mind you there are a few daft ones and the same number of quiet ones."


We would welcome comments and feed-back if you use this investigation.

E-mail us at : madrascollege.maths@fife.gov.uk
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