Explaining, convincing and proving

  • A pointed metal arrowhead on the end of an arrow.
    problem

    Arrowhead

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    The points P, Q, R and S are the midpoints of the edges of a non-convex quadrilateral.What do you notice about the quadrilateral PQRS and its area?

  • Round and Round
    problem

    Round and Round

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Prove that the shaded area of the semicircle is equal to the area of the inner circle.

  • Pareq Exists
    problem

    Pareq Exists

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Prove that, given any three parallel lines, an equilateral triangle always exists with one vertex on each of the three lines.

  • Never Prime
    problem

    Never Prime

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    If a two digit number has its digits reversed and the smaller of the two numbers is subtracted from the larger, prove the difference can never be prime.

  • Zig Zag
    problem

    Zig Zag

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Four identical right angled triangles are drawn on the sides of a square. Two face out, two face in. Why do the four vertices marked with dots lie on one line?

  • Three tennis balls on a clay surface.
    problem

    Three Balls

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Do points P and Q lie inside, on, or outside this circle?

  • Folding Squares
    problem

    Folding Squares

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    The diagonal of a square intersects the line joining one of the unused corners to the midpoint of the opposite side. What do you notice about the line segments produced?

  • Rhombus in Rectangle
    problem

    Rhombus in Rectangle

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Take any rectangle ABCD such that AB > BC. The point P is on AB and Q is on CD. Show that there is exactly one position of P and Q such that APCQ is a rhombus.

  • Matter of Scale
    problem

    Matter of Scale

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Can you prove Pythagoras' Theorem using enlargements and scale factors?

  • Mediant madness
    problem

    Mediant Madness

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Kyle and his teacher disagree about his test score - who is right?