### Consecutive Numbers

An investigation involving adding and subtracting sets of consecutive numbers. Lots to find out, lots to explore.

### Golden Thoughts

Rectangle PQRS has X and Y on the edges. Triangles PQY, YRX and XSP have equal areas. Prove X and Y divide the sides of PQRS in the golden ratio.

A 1 metre cube has one face on the ground and one face against a wall. A 4 metre ladder leans against the wall and just touches the cube. How high is the top of the ladder above the ground?

# Intersecting Squares

##### Stage: 3 and 4 Short Challenge Level:

Three congruent squares overlap as shown. The areas of the three overlapping sections are $2\;\mathrm{cm}^2$, $5\;\mathrm{cm}^2$ and $8\;\mathrm{cm}^2$ respectively. The total area of the non-overlapping parts of the squares is $117\;\mathrm{cm}^2$.

What is the side length of each square?

If you liked this problem, here is an NRICH task that challenges you to use similar mathematical ideas.

This problem is taken from the UKMT Mathematical Challenges.

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