iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Some "Power Equations" , equations with indices, or whatever you like to call them. (And so detached from posting here I realise I don't have a clue what hashtag to use... 😐) Downloadable version with worked solutions here: kshancock.co.uk/lessonresour...

A white page showing four handwritten algebra questions, each inside a red rectangular box, about solving equations using indices.
The first box reads: “Solve: 3 to the power 2x squared times 27 to the power 2x squared times 21 to the power x minus 1 equals 7 to the power x times 3 to the power 6, all over 63.”
The second box reads: “Solve: open bracket 4x times 2 to the power x close bracket squared, times 100 to the power x, times 2 to the power 14 equals 5 to the power 2x over 2 times 4 to the power 2x.”
The third box reads: “Solve: 9 to the power three quarters times 5 to the power x times seven fifths equals 3 times the square root of 21 times 35 times 5 to the power x plus 1.”
The fourth box reads: “Solve: 5 to the power minus x squared times 6 to the power x times 10 equals 2 to the power x plus 1 times 3 squared times 25 to the power minus x plus three halves.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

A new A level task. Really enjoyed watching the students think about this one: kshancock.co.uk/aleveltasks.... #MathsToday

A blank parametric equations worksheet displayed as a table. Columns are titled: x = p(t), y = q(t), Cartesian Equation f(x,y), Intersection with axes, Constraint on t, Domain, Range, and Sketch. Five rows contain given parametric pairs such as x = 3 – t, y = –4 + 3t; x = 3t², y = 6t; x = 4 cos t, y = 2 sin t; x = 1 + 2 cos t, y = 3 + 2 sin t; and x = e²ᵗ, y = e³ᵗ, with remaining columns left blank for students to complete

second blank parametric equations worksheet in table format. Columns match the first sheet: x = p(t), y = q(t), Cartesian Equation f(x,y), Intersection with axes, Constraint on t, Domain, Range, and Sketch. Five rows include parametric definitions such as x = t² – 1, y = t(t² – 1); x = 3 cos 2t, y = 2 cos t; x = 1 + 2t², y = –3 + 4t; x = ln(t – 2), y = 1/(t + 1) with t > 3; and x = cot t, y = 3 sin t for 0 ≤ t ≤ π, with other columns empty for completion.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

I'm in the last session - talking about how/why I use and design these, if you are interested. #MathsConf39 @lasalleed.bsky.social

Maths worksheet focused on estimation. The left side shows a worked example estimating the value of (3.45 × 42.3) ÷ 2.1 as approximately 3 × 40 ÷ 2 = 120 ÷ 2 = 60. The right side poses three reflective questions: the meaning of the ≈ symbol, the use of the equals sign in the second line, and how the estimation would change if the denominator were 7.1 instead of 2.1.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

In #MathsToday (ish - probably last week actually) some activities with Surds. Answers and better quality versions on the website links. kshancock.co.uk/lessonresour... kshancock.co.uk/lessonresour...

Maths worksheet titled 'Multiplying surds'. Students are instructed to pair surds from a 3x4 grid (including values like √7, 2√3, √48, etc.) to match answers in boxes below (e.g., 14, 6√7, 20√7, 144, 60√2, 21√10). A crossed-out calculator icon indicates calculators are not allowed.

Maths worksheet titled 'Fully factorise'. It includes an example: √2y − √50x = √2(y − 5x), followed by four expressions to factorise: √3x + √75, √98 + 4√2x, √48 + √12x, and √32y² + √18xy."

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

In #MathsToday (well the highlight of this week) A few nice tasks with my Lower Sixth FM task. This one certainly challenged them more than I thought on their rules of indices Pdf available on this page: kshancock.co.uk/aleveltasks....

A selection of expressions in boxes which students have to multiply to find matching products.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

If you are starting planning for the new term, I've collated all my worked examples in one place.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 27/08/2025

I've done some work on collated my worked examples over the holidays. Here's the database of those I've created over the past few years. Perhaps you can make use of them in your teaching too? kshancock.co.uk/workedexampl... #UKMathsChat

kshancock.co.uk

Worked Example Database | kshancock.co.uk

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

Just uploaded a new between papers GCSE Statistics Higher set of questions (with solutions) here: kshancock.co.uk/gcsestats/st... @mathsjem.bsky.social @harryzafar.bsky.social #GCSEStatistics

kshancock.co.uk

Edexcel Stats Higher Revision Papers kshancock.co.uk

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Second GCSE Stats revision paper up now - sorry it's taken so long. kshancock.co.uk/gcsestats/st... #UKMathsChat @mathsjem.bsky.social

kshancock.co.uk

Edexcel Stats Higher Revision Papers kshancock.co.uk

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 27/04/2025

A brief foray back into this place to offer a few GCSE Statistics resources. There'll be another revision paper before the end of the week, and a between papers paper for this year in early June. kshancock.co.uk/gcsestats/st... @mathsjem.bsky.social (In case it's useful for you)

kshancock.co.uk

Edexcel Stats GCSE Between Papers kshancock.co.uk

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

Which fjords would you find the mean of in part (b)? #UKMathsChat #ITeachMath

A grouped frequency table of fjord lengths (from 0km to 250km)
(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_0f_Norwegian_j0Ms)
(a) Work out the number of fiords that have a length of at least 100km.

(b) (i) Calculate an estimate of the mean length of these fiords.
Give your answer to 1 decimal place.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Temporary lights near me... They are the non cyclist friendly lights where there isn't sufficient time to get through the stretch on a green light and the oncoming traffic can't really see you either so they automatically cause cyclist/car driver confrontation.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

"Rationalise the denominator on..." or "Rationalise the denominator of..." I realised today I always say the first. I'm off to check some older textbooks - but wondering if I just misheard at some point and it stuck... #UkMathsChat

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 05/01/2025

I guess wearing them to take down the decorations is better than not wearing them at all until December. New socks. #knitting 🧶

A pair of multi motif colourwork Noridc style handknit socks in dsrk green, pink, red, gold and white.
Motifs include holly, snowflakes, reindeer, presents, trees, Ho ho ho and bells.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 01/01/2025

Photos of some of my 2024 projects. Yearly total was (I didn't take photos of all of them!): Adult tops: 2 Baby cardigans: 2 Gnomes: 6 Cacti: 2 Trainer socks: 4 pairs Long socks pairs: 9.5 pairs (ask my sister about the lost sock!) Hats: 1 Gloves: 1 pair Birds: 5 #knitting 🧶

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

@studymaths.bsky.social I'm attempting a pizza party without a pizza oven and in my, not very large, flat rather than a garden... I've run out of space already!

Six homemade pizza bases on plates on my kitchen work surface.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 31/12/2024

He's done. A little late, but at least before the end of the year!

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Karen @karenshancock.mathstodon.xyz.ap.brid.gy · 25/12/2024

Merry Christmas. Wishing you and yours a peaceful day. (Christmas socks not quite finished in time this year!)

A pair of feet wearing handknit self striping Christmas socks with a pair of half knit colourwork Christmas socks on sock blockers in the background.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

When your nephew's present is larger than all the fabric gift bags you've made in previous years.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

Last minute ideas filling up my time.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 20/12/2024

Now the build up to Christmas can start.

A cup of coffee is on a pub table. I'm holding the book Can Reindeer Fly? The Science of Christmas.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

Starting the holidays with a trip to the postbox!

A stack of red envelopes with second class stamps on them.
What can't be seen is they all contain handmade cards.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

When your GCSE Stats class put the best greeting inside your Christmas card.

The inside of a card which has hand written:
We hope your Christmas is three standard deviations above the norm!

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 08/12/2024

They are done. 40 handmade cards. - Minus the one I posted to Australia. #HandmadeChristmas #HandmadeCards

A box of red (and a few green) envelopes.
It's not obvious but each envelope contains a handmade card.

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Karen @karenshancock.mathstodon.xyz.ap.brid.gy · 02/12/2024

I'm certainly losing the will to make Christmas cards this year... Decorations with gift tags attached works just as well, right? #HandmadeChristmas

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

My niece asked for a female gnome in Christmas tree fancy dress. Did I hit the brief? 😂 #knitting 🧶

A hand knitted gnome dressed as a Christmas tree.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Some more Christmas knitting. Decorations this time. #knitting 🧶

A small handknit bird made out of Christmas self striping yarn.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

It's been a while since I've needed to create new self explanation prompts. Vector Geometry tomorrow. #MathsEd #MTBoS #ITeachMath

A worked example with self explantion prompts on a vector geometry question.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

If you have an hour to spare, this is a good read.

The book On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder is held in the leather gloves hand against a pavement background.

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Alison Kiddle @alisonkiddle.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

It occurred to me that I have no idea if the number of cheese graters I own is above or below average, so I've written a survey: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

docs.google.com

Cheese is Grate

Important scientific survey to discover cheese grating habits

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

In #MathsToday we covered histograms. Here's a fun task I wrote - certainly got them thinking. A lot missed the all important 63 in the start of the question. (With thanks to @nathanday.bsky.social for his input in writing this) Downloadable version linked here: kshancock.co.uk/lessonresour...

A histogram question which reads:

Erin has collected the following data about 63 members of her local running club and printed off the frequency table and histogram.

The printer is running out of ink – so it hasn’t printed clearly

Complete the table and the histogram for Erin.

The frequency table and histogram are obscured by white splodges with make various values in the table and both sets of axes scales and height of some bars unreadable.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

I had not missed procrastinating on social media over the past month... Just found my self drawn back in to scrolling time line. Thought I'd kicked the habit.

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Karen @karenshancock.mathstodon.xyz.ap.brid.gy · 14/11/2024

In #MathsToday we explored quadratic inequalities by first sketching graphs and then looking at the inequalities and the regions that satisfied them. With apologies for the inconsistent highlighting. #mtbos

A task on sketching factorised quadratic.
The final coln was blank but now has hand written quadratic inequalities that the sketches can be used to solve.

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Chalkdust @chalkdustmag.bsky.social · 08/11/2024

Chalkdust issue 20 is out now! Our latest issue features spirographs, complex triangles and a lot of ants, plus all your favourite regulars. You can read it now at chalkdustmagazine.co...

chalkdustmagazine.com

Read Issue 20 now! - Chalkdust

A magazine for the mathematically curious. Issue 20 now available: Spirographs, complex triangles and a lot of ants feature in our AW24 issue! Plus all your favourite puzzles & columns.

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Clare Wallace @clarewallace.bsky.social · 10/11/2024

Really proud of this one, our twentiethst issue yet 🐜

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 09/11/2024

Marking GCSE Statistics mock papers... Why don't they put their hand up for more paper...Instead they write smaller and smaller and outside the box.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 05/11/2024

#MathsToday Year 10 used Graspable Maths to manipulate algebraic fractions.

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Karen @karenshancock.mathstodon.xyz.ap.brid.gy · 05/11/2024

Christmas gloves underway. #knitting

3 inches of twisted rib knitted in Christmas themed self striping yarn for the cuff of a glove.

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Karen @karenshancock.bsky.social · 04/11/2024

In #MathsToday, something to consider on algebraic fractions.

$RHS A worked example on simplifying algebraic fractions. (6x+12)/(4x+8) LHS Prompts The correct answer can be reached by cancelling the x (6+12)/(4+8) Show that this doesn't work for (6x+8)/(4x+10)$

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Karen @karenshancock.mathstodon.xyz.ap.brid.gy · 27/10/2024

Papercrafters. What's your preferred glue. I've been using Distress Collage Medium for a few years but it's expensive and hard to source in the UK. Any recommendations for other liquid matt adhesives? #papercrafting #papercraft

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Karen @karenshancock.mathstodon.xyz.ap.brid.gy · 25/10/2024

Resting joints from knitting. So made an embellished Dorset button this evening. #DorsetButton #embroidery

A Dorset button made with greenish yarn. Embellished with a pale blue hyacinth(ish).

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Nathan Day @nathanday.bsky.social · 25/10/2024

Here's some tasks on CP1's geometric configurations of systems of three linear equations. I think they're a lot of fun. (Diagrams taken from a textbook. I can't remember which.) Tasks: interwovenmaths.com/files/_Geome... Answers: interwovenmaths.com/files/_Geome... #ALevelMaths

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Karen @karenshancock.mathstodon.xyz.ap.brid.gy · 25/10/2024

Holidays are very much for crafting. #handmadecards

A hand coloured card front. The stamped image is of flowers and leaves.
They have been coloured in lilac and green with a purple sparkly splatter.

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