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Pebbles

Place four pebbles on the sand in the form of a square. Keep adding as few pebbles as necessary to double the area. How many extra pebbles are added each time?

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Great Squares

Investigate how this pattern of squares continues. You could measure lengths, areas and angles.

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Square Areas

Can you work out the area of the inner square and give an explanation of how you did it?

Inscribed in a Circle

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

Imagine extending the radius so that you have a horizontal diameter.

The hexagon is now split into two identical trapeziums (trapezia?).
Area of one trapezium $= {1\over 2}$ height $\times$ sum of parallel sides $$= {1\over 2}\ \times\ \sqrt0.75\ \times\ (2 + 1)$$ $$= {3\over 4} x \sqrt 3 $$

The area of the hexagon is therefore: ${3\over2}\ \times\ \sqrt {3}$

The area of the triangle is half the area of the hexagon. triangle drawn in hexagon by joining alternate vertices

The area of the triangle is therefore ${3\over4}\ \times\ \sqrt {3} $
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