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Planting Puzzler

How can you plant 10 Carambola Trees in five rows and have exactly four trees in each row? The answer lies in the fruit of the tree. 

The students will solve a classic riddle by using problem solving with a template provided as a manipulative.

(Insert Nutritional Obj. Here)

Starfruit

A knife for cutting

A star template paper for each student

Scissors and Glue

Show students the star fruit that comes from a Carambola tree. This fruit, when cut in a cross section resembles the shape of a star. Slice the fruit up for students and allow them to taste the fruit. It has a texture similar to a grape and if ripe, should be sweet in taste.

Talk about the nutritional values of the star fruit as they are rich in antioxidants and in Vitamin C.

To help students solve the riddle, distribute at this time the Star Template Worksheet. Have the students cut out the 10 circles that represent the Carambola Trees.

See if students can figure out where the Carambola trees are planted within the star to solve the riddle.
Help guide students by having them place a Carambola tree at each point of the star. The remaining 5 trees are “planted” at the crossings of the star.

Have students count the number of trees in each of their rows, they should have 5 rows with 4 trees in each. Allow students to glue the trees to the star.

Present students with this Classic Word Puzzle:

How can you plant 10 Carambola Trees in five rows and have exactly four trees in each row? The answer lies in the fruit of the tree.

(Answer: Plant them at the five corners and five crossings of a pentagram star.)

Ask students if there are any other shapes that they see in their diagram?

(Pentagon in the middle of the star.)

Discuss the benefits of the starfruit.