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Route Product

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

There are lots of different routes from $A$ to $B$ in this diagram:

routes

The idea is to work out the product of the numbers on these different routes from $A$ to $B$. Let's say that in a route you are not allowed to visit a point more than once.

For example, we could have $3\times0.5$ but we couldn't have $3\times2\times5\times4\times1\times 0.1$ because that route passes through $A$ twice.

Which route or routes give the largest product?

Which route or routes give the smallest product?

Do you have any quick ways of working out the products each time?

[This problem is adapted from a SMILE Centre card.]


The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice. More information on many of our other activities can be found here.
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