This clever problem would be an excellent way to lead student's into a dialogue about using different methods to solve a problem. Further, it has an accessible entry where visually a student may be able to deduce the height of the table and it allows other student's to reason algebraically with multiple variables. This could be used in an elementary class as an intro the algebraic inquiry, yet it could also be used as a "minds on" exploration in the senior grades before demonstrating how to solve equations with more than one variable. Overall, it is a gripping challenge and would allow the students to engage in mathematical dialogic investigation.
Watch the video below by Presh Talwalker at Mind Your Decisions to see two methods to solve this problem. It could also be solved using bar modelling from Singapore's Primary Mathematics program.
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