The Surajkund Fair is a famous crafts fair in India. In this chapter, we use the colourful setting of the fair to practise patterns, shapes, multiplication, data handling, and mental maths.
Patterns
- A pattern is a design or sequence that repeats. At the fair, we see patterns in colourful cloth, pottery, and decorations.
- Number patterns: 2, 4, 6, 8, ... (add 2 each time).
- Shape patterns: circle, triangle, circle, triangle, ...
- Colour patterns: red, blue, red, blue, ...
Skip Counting
- Skip counting means counting by 2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 10s, etc.
- Count by 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ...
- Count by 10s: 10, 20, 30, 40, ...
Shapes at the Fair
- Stalls, flags, and artwork feature many shapes:
- Triangle – 3 sides.
- Square – 4 equal sides.
- Rectangle – opposite sides equal, 4 right angles.
- Circle – no sides, perfectly round.
Simple Data Handling
- At a fair, we can count visitors, items sold, or favourite stalls and put the data in a tally chart or table.
- Count tally marks in groups of 5 (four vertical, one diagonal).
Multiplication Shortcut
To find total items at stalls: rows x columns = total.
If a stall has 4 rows of pots with 6 pots in each row: 4 x 6 = 24 pots.
Find the pattern: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___. What comes next?
Step 1: Each term increases by 3.
Answer: 15.
A craft stall has 5 rows of bangles with 8 bangles in each row. How many bangles are there?
Step 1: 5 x 8 = 40.
Answer: 40 bangles.
The tally chart shows: Pots = 12, Cloth = 18, Jewellery = 9. Which stall had the most visitors?
Step 1: Compare 12, 18, 9.
Answer: The Cloth stall had the most visitors.
Colour pattern at the fair: Red, Yellow, Green, Red, Yellow, Green, Red, ___. What colour comes next?
Step 1: The pattern repeats every 3 colours.
Answer: Yellow.
Skip count by 4: 4, 8, 12, ___. What are the next two numbers?
Step 1: Add 4 each time: 12 + 4 = 16, 16 + 4 = 20.
Answer: 16 and 20.
Key Points
- Identify the rule in a pattern before extending it.
- Use multiplication for equal groups (rows x items per row).
- Tally charts help organise and compare data easily.
Common mistakes
When extending a pattern, always check the rule carefully — do not just guess the next number without verifying the pattern rule.
Summary
The fair teaches us patterns, shapes, multiplication, and data reading. Always find the rule in a pattern before extending it, and use tally charts to organise information.