Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Rangoli Ring Maths: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 4
- ForYear 4
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Rangoli Ring Maths is a free printable maths worksheet for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). Children work out the tiles for each of three rings in a table, find the total, then design their own symmetrical rangoli pattern. It is screen free, needs only a pencil and colouring pencils, and page 2 gives the grown-up the answers, help ideas and a stretch task.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children fill in a table for three rings. For each ring they record the sections, the tiles in each section and the total tiles. They multiply, share and add to complete it, then use the table to find the tiles all three rings need. Finally they draw half a rangoli pattern, with the mirror line on the right, and draw the mirror image to match.
- Ring
- Sections
- Tiles in each section
- Total tiles
- A border has 7 sections with 8 tiles in each. How many tiles is that?
- Use your table. How many tiles do all three rings need?
- Draw half a rangoli pattern. The mirror line is on the right.
- Now draw the mirror image to match.
A worked example with different numbers
A ring has 5 sections with 6 tiles in each section. How many tiles is that?
This example uses different numbers from the sheet. It shows two ways to find a total from equal groups.
Method 1: repeated addition- Each section has 6 tiles, and there are 5 sections.
- Add 6 five times: 6 + 6 = 12, then 12 + 6 = 18.
- Keep going: 18 + 6 = 24, then 24 + 6 = 30.
- Think of 10 sections first. 10 × 6 = 60.
- 5 sections is half of 10 sections.
- Half of 60 is 30, so 5 × 6 = 30.
How to build a rangoli pattern
Start with a mirror line
Draw a straight line down the page. Everything on one side will be copied on the other side, so keep the first half simple.
Draw the half pattern
Use shapes with clear corners, such as triangles, petals and dots. Press lightly so you can rub out mistakes.
Copy it to the other side
Take each shape in turn. Count how far it sits from the mirror line, then draw it the same distance away on the other side.
Check and colour
Compare both halves. Colour matching parts in matching colours so any mistake stands out.
What is rangoli?
Rangoli is a traditional folk art from India. People make patterns on the floor, often near a doorway or in a courtyard, to welcome visitors. It is especially linked with festivals such as Diwali, the festival of lights. Designs can be made with coloured powder, rice flour or flower petals, and many are built from repeating shapes.
Rangoli is a good fit for Year 4 maths. A ring made of equal sections is a picture of equal groups, so finding the total tiles links straight to multiplication. Many rangoli designs are also symmetrical, which gives children a real reason to draw a pattern and its mirror image carefully.
Rangoli facts for children
- Rangoli is a folk art from India.
- Rangoli patterns are often made on the floor near the entrance to a home.
- Rangoli is closely linked with Diwali, the festival of lights.
- Artists can use coloured powder, rice flour or flower petals.
- Many rangoli designs are symmetrical, so one side matches the other.
Skills and curriculum link
- Multiplication facts
- Division as sharing
- Adding three numbers
- Using a table
- Symmetry and reflection
Ideas that help with this sheet
- Equal groupsWhen every group has the same number of items, multiplying finds the total faster than counting one by one.
- Multiplying is repeated addingAdding the same number again and again gives the same answer as multiplying. Children can use either to check.
- Sharing equallyDivision splits a total into equal groups. It can show how many go in each group, or how many groups there are.
- Adding in any orderWhen adding three numbers, children can choose which two to add first. Look for pairs that are easy to combine.
Key words
- RingA pattern that goes in a circle around a middle point.
- SectionOne equal part of a ring.
- TotalThe amount you get when you put everything together.
- MultiplyFind the total of equal groups. 3 groups of 4 is 3 × 4.
- SymmetryWhen one half of a shape or pattern matches the other half exactly.
- Mirror lineThe line where a pattern is folded or reflected. Each side is a mirror image of the other.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the table together. Ask your child what each column means before they fill anything in.
- Complete the table first, then use it for question 3. Let your child choose how to work, such as a times table square or drawing dots in groups.
- Move on to the drawing task. Draw the half pattern, then draw the mirror image to match. Colouring pencils work well.
- Check against page 2 and ask, "How did you work that out?" Come back another day to repeat any parts that felt tricky.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Allow a times table square, or let your child draw dots in equal groups to find each total. Fill in the table one row at a time. For the drawing, start with very simple shapes that are easy to copy across the line.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to design a fourth ring with a total of exactly 100 tiles, choosing the sections and the tiles in each section. Then they can explain how they know the total is right, and find a second way to make 100.
Make it a game
Swap drawings with a partner. Can they spot the line of symmetry and check that every part matches? Each matching part scores a point, and each part that does not match is a puzzle to fix together.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child adds the numbers instead of multiplying, for example 4 + 5 instead of 4 × 5.
Try thisDraw the groups. Show 4 sections with 5 dots in each and count them all. Ask, "Is this the same as 4 + 5?"
Watch forA child finds the totals for two rings but forgets the third when adding.
Try thisAsk them to point to each ring in the table as they add. Tick each total once it has been added.
Watch forThe second half of the drawing is copied facing the same way, not reflected.
Try thisHold the page up to a mirror, or fold along the mirror line. Check that each shape sits the same distance from the line on both sides.
Talk about it
- How did you decide which fact to use for this ring?
- Can you find another way to check the total?
- What would happen to the total if there was one more section?
- Where else have you seen a pattern that repeats around a circle?
- How do you know your drawing is symmetrical?
- Which part of the pattern was hardest to match, and why?
Take it off the page
Paper tile rings
Cut small squares from scrap paper. Lay them in a ring with equal sections and count the total in groups.
Chalk rangoli
Draw a symmetrical pattern outside with chalk. Start with a line down the middle and copy each shape to the other side.
Fold and cut
Fold a sheet of paper in half, cut a shape along the fold, then open it up. Talk about the line of symmetry that appears.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. Ask them to explain each answer. If they are stuck, draw the groups together. Praise careful thinking, not only correct answers.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups, and answers for quick marking.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider maths plan. It pairs well with art, festival topics and everyday talk about patterns. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or for revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits in children's learning
Before this sheet, children learn their times tables and meet equal groups, arrays and sharing. They also spot symmetry in everyday shapes and patterns. Year 4 builds on this by asking them to use multiplication and division facts to solve problems.
After this sheet, children multiply bigger numbers and solve longer problems with several steps. In upper Key Stage 2 they also describe reflections and use coordinates to place shapes, which builds on the care they take with a mirror image here.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Rangoli Ring Maths for?
It is written for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9), in Key Stage 2. Children in nearby year groups can try it too, with extra support or the stretch task if needed.
- What will children practise?
Children practise multiplying, dividing and adding to solve tile problems, and they draw a symmetrical pattern. They also use a table to record information and then use it to answer a question.
- How do I use it?
Children complete the table first, then use it for question 3. They finish with the drawing task. Colouring pencils work well. Check answers on page 2 and talk about how they worked.
- What if it feels too hard?
Allow a times table square, or let children draw dots in equal groups to find each total. Work through the first row of the table together, then let them try the next row alone.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has answers and ideas for support and stretch.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add colour themselves with colouring pencils when they finish the drawing task.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.