Math · Stage 3
Solve chicken-and-rabbit problems by assuming one kind, then adjusting
Pretend every animal is a chicken (2 legs each), see how many legs are missing, then swap chickens for rabbits — each swap adds 2 legs.
✦ Math📘 Stage 3 · S3⏱ ~10 min🧒 Ages 7–8★ Free to start
I can solve heads-and-legs (chicken-and-rabbit) problems by assuming all one kind, then adjusting for the extra legs.
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Kavi Counts the Farmyard 🐔🐰
Kavi peeks over the fence: 8 heads bobbing and 26 legs scurrying — chickens 🐔 and rabbits 🐰 all mixed up! "I cannot see who is who," hoots Kavi. "But here is the olympiad trick: pretend they are ALL chickens, then fix the leftover legs!"
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What your child will learn
1How many legs each?First, know your animals. Tap each card and count with Kavi.
2Pretend they are ALL chickensThere are 8 heads. Tap to see what happens if every one is a chicken.
3Real legs − pretend legsFind the leftover legs by subtracting. Real 26 take away pretend 16. Tap Step →.
4Swap chickens into rabbitsEach swap turns a 2-leg chicken into a 4-leg rabbit. Tap to see.
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A peek inside
A pen has 8 heads and 26 legs 🐔🐰. How many rabbits and chickens?
all chickens → 8 × 2 = 16 legs · extra 26 − 16 = 10 · rabbits 10 ÷ 2 = 5 · chickens 8 − 5 = 3
Try this at home: 5 heads, 16 legs. All chickens: 5 × 2 = 10. Extra: 16 − 10 = 6. Rabbits: 6 ÷ 2 = __, chickens: 5 − __ = __
Ready to play and learn?
Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.
Part of Math · Stage 3 · S3 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.