Problem Solving: Winner's Podium

A winners' podium with three places requires four blocks to build.

A winners' podium with five places will require nine blocks to build.

How many blocks will it take to built a podium for thirteen winners?

Our focus today is being clear. Use blocks, colours, diagrams, and written explanations to demonstrate your understanding.

Here are some different ways you can show the pattern visually:

Some teams used plenty of blocks to build a podium for thirteen winners:

Solving the winners' podium problem wasn't too difficult. Trying to explain the answer clearly on paper was the real challenge.