Explaining, convincing and proving

  • Cyclic Quad Jigsaw
    problem

    Cyclic Quad Jigsaw

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    A picture is made by joining five small quadrilaterals together to make a large quadrilateral. Is it possible to draw a similar picture if all the small quadrilaterals are cyclic?

  • AMGM
    problem

    AMGM

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Can you use the diagram to prove the AM-GM inequality?

  • Similarly so
    problem

    Similarly So

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    ABCD is a square. P is the midpoint of AB and is joined to C. A line from D perpendicular to PC meets the line at the point Q. Prove AQ = AD.

  • Composite Notions
    problem

    Composite Notions

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    A composite number is one that is neither prime nor 1. Show that 10201 is composite in any base.

  • Triangles within Pentagons
    problem

    Triangles Within Pentagons

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Show that all pentagonal numbers are one third of a triangular number.

  • The Great Weights Puzzle
    problem

    The Great Weights Puzzle

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    You have twelve weights, one of which is different from the rest. Using just 3 weighings, can you identify which weight is the odd one out, and whether it is heavier or lighter than the rest?

  • Small tomato seedlings in pink pots.
    problem

    Square LCM

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Using the hcf and lcf of the numerators, can you deduce which of these fractions are square numbers?

  • Close to triangular
    problem

    Close to Triangular

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Drawing a triangle is not always as easy as you might think!

  • Geometric Parabola
    problem

    Geometric Parabola

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Explore what happens when you draw graphs of quadratic equations with coefficients based on a geometric sequence.

  • Small tomato seedlings in pink pots.
    problem

    Digital Counter

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    When the numbers from 1 to 1000 are written on a blackboard, which digit appears the most number of times?