### 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.

### Ladder and Cube

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?

# Self-referential

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

Consider the following table:

The numbers in the first column are fixed and $a$, $b$, $c$ and $d$ should be chosen so that in the entire table the total number of $1$s is $a$, the total number of $2$s is $b$, the total number of $3$s is $c$ and the total number of $4$s is $d$.

Here is an example:

In the entire table there are two $1$s, three $2$s, two $3$s and one $4$.

How many other ways can you find to fill in the right-hand column? Can you find them and explain why there are no others?

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.
View the archive of all weekly problems grouped by curriculum topic

View the previous week's solution
View the current weekly problem