Math Problem Solving
Strategy: License Plates
Appropriate Grade Level: 3rd-4th (possibly 5th)
Procedures/Steps:
Day 1
1. Take students on a walking trip through the faculty/staff parking lot. Have them chart their findings
using tally marks for: 1. license plates whose digits have a sum of 10; 2. license plates with all even
numbers; 3. License plates with all odd numbers; 4. In-state license plates; 5. Out-of-state license plates;
and 6. License plates with 3, 6, or 9 in the 10s place. Have students present their findings.
2. Using a class set of license plates (see tips below), have students find numbers in sequence, identifying
even numbers and odd numbers, and add the digits.
Day 2
After having the students define the word “palindrome”, and then have them work in groups to find
palindrome patterns in the letter and number groups. Use an example that has two palindrome groups such
as ZGZ 252.
Day 3
Students work in small groups to record the place values on the license plates for ones, tens, and hundreds.
Day 4
Provide rulers and one-inch square tiles. Have the students measure the license plates with the ruler. Also
have them completely cover the license plate with rows of tiles to create an array and show the product of 6
x 12.
Day 5
Provide calculators and have the students add, multiply, and calculate the difference between the product
and the sum.
An additional activity:
Invite other classes to come and participate. Have your students break into separate groups where one
group demonstrates the palindrome activity, the second group demonstrates the place value activity, the
third group demonstrates the measurement activity, and the fourth group demonstrates the calculation
activity.
Comments and/or tips:
As described above, this is a one-week unit.
Prior to using this strategy, students will need to know addition, multiplication,
subtraction, and less than and greater than properties, and place values.
Possibly consult local automobile dealers for assistance with obtaining more license
plates for a class set.
Consider adding information about out-of-state license plates and tie in a discussion
about state birds, flowers, capitals, songs, etc.
Source:
Durand, S. E. (1997). Automobile license plates. Teaching Children Mathematics, 4 (4),
206-208.