Grade
5

Mobile Math: Circles, Trapezoids & Hexagons

Look at the mobile below. What do you notice? What do you wonder?

This mobile is unbalanced between 2 sides. The left side is lighter than the right side. The left side has 1 string with 2 circles. The right side is balanced between 2 strings. The left string has 1 trapezoid. The right string has 3 hexagons.

What is one set of possible values for the shapes?

If the hexagon has a value of 3/4, what could the value of the other shapes be? How do you know?

What are other possible values for the set of shapes? What patterns or rules do you notice?

The left side of the mobile now has a total value of 1/3. If the right side of the mobile has a value less than 1, what are some possible values for the trapezoid and hexagon?

Printable Version

Google doc for printing and copying

Reference for Educators

Sample problems and solutions