Pythagoras' theorem

  • Belt
    problem
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    Belt

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    A belt of thin wire, length L, binds together two cylindrical welding rods, whose radii are R and r, by passing all the way around them both. Find L in terms of R and r.

  • Orthogonal Circle
    problem
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    Orthogonal Circle

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Given any three non intersecting circles in the plane find another circle or straight line which cuts all three circles orthogonally.

  • Cubestick
    problem
    Favourite

    Cubestick

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Stick some cubes together to make a cuboid. Find two of the angles by as many different methods as you can devise.

  • Pythagoras for a Tetrahedron
    problem
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    Pythagoras for a Tetrahedron

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    In a right-angled tetrahedron prove that the sum of the squares of the areas of the 3 faces in mutually perpendicular planes equals the square of the area of the sloping face. A generalisation of Pythagoras' Theorem.

  • Incircles
    problem

    Incircles

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3
    The incircles of 3, 4, 5 and of 5, 12, 13 right angled triangles have radii 1 and 2 units respectively. What about triangles with an inradius of 3, 4 or 5 or ...?
  • Reach for Polydron
    problem

    Reach for Polydron

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3
    A tetrahedron has two identical equilateral triangles faces, of side length 1 unit. The other two faces are right angled isosceles triangles. Find the exact volume of the tetrahedron.
  • Square World
    problem

    Square World

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3
    P is a point inside a square ABCD such that PA= 1, PB = 2 and PC = 3. How big is angle APB ?
  • 30-60-90 Polypuzzle
    problem

    30-60-90 Polypuzzle

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3
    Re-arrange the pieces of the puzzle to form a rectangle and then to form an equilateral triangle. Calculate the angles and lengths.
  • Retracircles
    problem

    Retracircles

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3
    Four circles all touch each other and a circumscribing circle. Find the ratios of the radii and prove that joining 3 centres gives a 3-4-5 triangle.
  • Weighty Problem
    problem

    Weighty Problem

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3
    The diagram shows a very heavy kitchen cabinet. It cannot be lifted but it can be pivoted around a corner. The task is to move it, without sliding, in a series of turns about the corners so that it is facing the other way round.