This short clip poses a mathematical problem on percentages and presents a real-life context for problem-solving. It is ideal for use as a lesson starter in KS2 maths. In the clip, Jessica, Charlie, Tim and Sue are working together to make a chocolate cake. Jessica mixes up the cake ingredients, Charlie makes the frosting, Tim pours the mixture into the tin and puts it in the oven. Sue does the decorations. Each person carries out a different amount of work: Jessica does 50% of the work Charlie does half as much as Jessica Tim does half as much as Charlie Sue does as much as Tim When the cake is ready, the cooks want to divide the cake according to the amount of work they each did. The challenge for the pupils is to sketch a cake and label it showing how much of the cake each cook should get. See the accompanying teachers' notes for suggested extension activities.

Video Series: Lesson Starters
Release Date 2009