Cubes Investigation, Cubic Growth
geometry · cubic growth and painted cube patterns
Students will work in groups to find a solution to this problem: How many 1x1x1 cubes are painted on three faces, two faces, one face, or no faces when different sized cubes are constructed from unit cubes, the surface areas are painted, and the larger cubes are taken apart.
Cubes Investigation, Cubic Growth is a Grade 5 geometry investigation that uses unit cubes to explore how three-dimensional structures grow. Students build larger cubes, imagine the outside surfaces painted, and determine how many unit cubes would have paint on three, two, one, or no faces. The changing counts create a rich pattern problem connected to faces, edges, corners, volume, and spatial reasoning.
Use it in small groups when you want students building, recording, and looking for structure rather than following a single procedure. Ask them to organize results, describe patterns, and predict what would happen with a much larger cube. Generate teacher-ready lesson support for Cubes Investigation, Cubic Growth with a free Find a Math Game account. No credit card; 3 lifetime generations.
- Grades:
- 5
- Materials:
- counters, paper, pencil
- Classroom use:
- small group
Standards alignment
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