Magical Numbers – Lesson 6: Other Magical Numbers

Description

Finish the Magical Numbers course with a collection of striking numerical patterns—and the question that matters most: why do they work?

This lesson explores:

• Kaprekar’s four-digit routine and the constant 6174;
• the 1089 reverse–subtract–reverse–add trick;
• using place value to explain the hidden structure behind 1089;
• perfect numbers and the sum of their proper divisors;
• the difference between observing a pattern and explaining it;
• how mathematical curiosity can lead from a surprising trick to a proof or general rule.

The printable handout contains worked examples, investigations, explanations, grown-up guidance and answers/discussion, and is designed to work without the website.

Suitable for learners aged 10 and over.

This is Lesson 6 and the conclusion of the Beyond Curriculum: Magical Numbers course.

☕ Free to download

This resource is completely free. If you find it useful and would like to support the creation of more free mathematics resources, you can support Sumthing Else on Ko-fi.