Inquiry Maths
Inquiry Maths is a model of learning that encourages students to regulate their own activity while exploring a mathematical prompt (an equation, a statement or a diagram). Inquiries involve questioning, conjecturing, generalising and proving and, when required, listening to or giving an explanation.
In Inquiry Maths lessons, students learn to take responsibility for directing the inquiry while the teacher acts as the arbiter of legitimate mathematical knowledge and activity.
Inquiry Maths establishes a culture of curiosity, collaboration and openness in the classroom. Students meet new concepts and procedures when they are necessary, meaningful and connected – necessary to make progress on a line of inquiry, meaningful in the context of the inquiry, and connected to other concepts and procedures in the field of inquiry.
New on the site
Derek Christensen, a high school teacher in Edmonton (Canada), contacted Inquiry Maths with the idea for a new prompt.
April 2025
Diann King, a Head of Mathematics in London (UK), describes how her year 7 pupils are becoming inquisitive inquirers.
April 2025
At an Inquiry Maths workshop in Suzhou (China), Joshua Oke explained his version of the simultaneous equations prompt.
April 2025
Most viewed inquiries last week
The Mathematics Hub funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment recommends 50 inquiries from the Inquiry Maths website.
What students say about Inquiry Maths
Year 11 students evaluate an Inquiry Maths lesson on mini-whiteboards.
After supporting in a year 7 inquiry lesson on the combined transformations prompt, Husine, a year 12 Further Maths A-level student, commented:
"When we were in year 7 we just learnt how to do things, like reflections, without thinking about it. In the inquiry you dig into why things are the way they are.
"I was really surprised by the connections between the transformations. The inquiry was much better because the year 7s were really interested."
"My maths this week using a prompt has improved significantly because I have noticed and seen things I didn't even know was possible." Year 6
“Doing Inquiry Maths was the best maths lesson I ever had because it taught me how to think." Year 7
"My independent learning ability has improved. It made me think outside the box!" Year 11
"It was a new technique, a maths prompt. For some reason questions just flew out of me." Year 6
"Having a say in what we do makes me work harder." Year 10
"I ask lots more questions in maths after doing inquiry lessons. Last week I made up my own inquiry on enlargements." Year 8
"I used to just explore a problem, but now I have to stop and decide what to do." Year 10
"The inquiry was so interesting that it was the first time I talked about my maths lessons at home." Year 7
"I feel like I learn a lot more in inquiry lessons and they're more engaging." Year 8
A year 7 student gives written feedback.
What teachers say about Inquiry Maths
"The whole class came together to collaborate on the inquiry. The energy in the room contributed to a brilliant sense of community." Zack Miodownik
"I love the focus in Inquiry Maths on developing mathematical behaviours in students whilst keeping the integrity of the subject." Claire Lee
"I was blown away by the by the depth of student responses." Devon Burger
"It was an absolute joy to teach in this way." Emmy Bennett
"The students’ responses were inspiring, amazing, and truly beyond any of my expectations." Michelle Cole
"I didn’t expect the level of commitment and mathematical language from the class. It was one of the best lessons I have had with them!" Shawki Dayekh
"Some brilliant work from the students. One of those lessons that makes you love being a teacher." Chris McGrane
"An inquiry approach is ideal for a mixed attainment class because it supports and challenges all students and allows them to direct their own learning." Helen Hindle
www.inquirymaths.org
Dr Andrew Blair, a secondary school teacher in London (UK), created the website in 2012 to promote inquiry learning in mathematics classrooms.
Independent of all companies and organisations, the site is being developed in collaboration with teachers from around the world. Their experiences and reflections enrich its pages.
Feedback
We welcome feedback from teachers who use Inquiry Maths prompts in the classroom. Contact Inquiry Maths
Acknowledgement
The Gatsby Charitable Foundation awarded a grant to Andrew Blair in 2004-05 to develop the first five prompts on the Inquiry Maths website.