Number (addition and subtraction): Leaping Lemurs
The Problem
Saffi the sifaka lemur is leaping from tree to tree in a Madagascan forest. The distances between each tree (labelled A – I) are shown on the picture opposite. One evening, Saffi leapt a total distance of 52 m in her search for food.
Can you work out the route that Saffi took through the forest?
How close to 52 m can you get?
Can you find a way to make 52 m exactly?
Note: Saffi did not return to trees that she had already visited, and she might not have visited them in alphabetical order!
Did you know?
Sifaka lemurs move differently to other lemurs. They cling vertically to trees and can spring from tree to tree with their powerful hind legs, clearing distances of over 10 m. If the trees are too far apart, they can come down and walk on the ground quickly with a two-legged sideways hop!
Visualising the Problem and Getting Started
How far would Saffi the lemur have leapt in total if she leapt from tree A to tree E and from tree E to tree G? How many more metres will she need to jump to reach her total distance?
