Thursday, February 3, 2011

Problem Solving: Combinations

Valentine's Day Treat

This is a classic combination problem that challenges students to list all of the possible sundaes that can be made if students choose one ice cream and one topping from the cafeteria list. Note that students must choose a topping for this problem, otherwise they are simply buying ice cream which doesn't count as a sundae. 


This problem was designed as a simple primary level introduction to combinations and systematic counting.  The included possible solution details a simple way to introduce students to this method of counting combinations.  Older students might use a tree diagram to find all of the possible combinations.


  • Download Valentine's Day Treat which includes the student handout and a possible solution method using a simple listing of the different combinations.

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