Math Brains: Pictures vs Numbers

In our "Math Brains: Pictures vs Numbers" episode, we learned that some brains understand math best when they see it, not just read it! This mission will help you explore how you see math in the world around you.

The Big Question

Can pictures help us understand numbers?

What You'll Need

• Paper
• Crayons or markers
• A few small objects (like buttons, coins, or small toys)

Mission Steps

1. Gather Objects. Find 3 to 5 small objects.
2. Draw Pictures. On your paper, draw a picture that shows the total number of objects you gathered, using drawings instead of numbers. For example, if you have 3 buttons, draw 3 circles.
3. Draw Groupings. Now, draw another picture of the same objects, but this time, show them in two different groups. For example, if you have 5 coins, you could draw 2 coins on one side and 3 coins on the other.
4. Compare and Share. Look at your two drawings. Which one feels easier to understand? Show your grown-up your pictures and explain what you drew.

Talk About It

• What objects did you use for your mission?
• Which picture did you like drawing more, the total or the groups? Why?
• How does drawing pictures help you understand how many things there are?

Take It Further

For older rangers, try representing simple addition or subtraction problems using only pictures. For example, draw 3 apples, then draw 2 more apples appearing, to show 3 + 2 = 5. Can you draw a picture to show 5 - 1 = 4?

FAQ

Q: My child just wants to write the number instead of drawing. What should I do? A: That's great! It shows they are comfortable with numbers. Encourage them to make their number drawing extra colorful or big, and then ask them to also draw the picture version to compare.

Q: My child is struggling to draw the groups. What's a good tip? A: Help them count the objects and then count out the smaller groups aloud as they draw them. You can also model it first with your own objects.