Filter by: Content type: ALL Problems Articles Games Stage: All Stage 1&2 Stage 2&3 Stage 3&4 Stage 4&5 Challenge level:
Can you each work out what shape you have part of on your card? What will the rest of it look like?
Are all the possible combinations of two shapes included in this set of 27 cards? How do you know?
Arrange your fences to make the largest rectangular space you can. Try with four fences, then five, then six etc.
What do these two triangles have in common? How are they related?
What is the largest number of circles we can fit into the frame without them overlapping? How do you know? What will happen if you try the other shapes?
Sara and Will were sorting some pictures of shapes on cards. "I'll collect the circles," said Sara. "I'll take the red ones," answered Will. Can you see any cards they would both want?
Can you put these shapes in order of size? Start with the smallest.
Can you make five differently sized squares from the tangram pieces?
If these balls are put on a line with each ball touching the one in front and the one behind, which arrangement makes the shortest line of balls?
This practical problem challenges you to create shapes and patterns with two different types of triangle. You could even try overlapping them.
What is the greatest number of counters you can place on the grid below without four of them lying at the corners of a square?
These pictures show squares split into halves. Can you find other ways?
These are pictures of the sea defences at New Brighton. Can you work out what a basic shape might be in both images of the sea wall and work out a way they might fit together?
Move four sticks so there are exactly four triangles.
What is the greatest number of squares you can make by overlapping three squares?
An activity making various patterns with 2 x 1 rectangular tiles.
Can you make a rectangle with just 2 dominoes? What about 3, 4, 5, 6, 7...?
Exploring and predicting folding, cutting and punching holes and making spirals.
Cut a square of paper into three pieces as shown. Now,can you use the 3 pieces to make a large triangle, a parallelogram and the square again?
What happens to the area of a square if you double the length of the sides? Try the same thing with rectangles, diamonds and other shapes. How do the four smaller ones fit into the larger one?
Where can you put the mirror across the square so that you can still "see" the whole square? How many different positions are possible?
Use the lines on this figure to show how the square can be divided into 2 halves, 3 thirds, 6 sixths and 9 ninths.
NRICH December 2006 advent calendar - a new tangram for each day in the run-up to Christmas.
Use the three triangles to fill these outline shapes. Perhaps you can create some of your own shapes for a friend to fill?
Ideas for practical ways of representing data such as Venn and Carroll diagrams.
Investigate the smallest number of moves it takes to turn these mats upside-down if you can only turn exactly three at a time.
Here's a simple way to make a Tangram without any measuring or ruling lines.
Can you make the most extraordinary, the most amazing, the most unusual patterns/designs from these triangles which are made in a special way?
Can you make the birds from the egg tangram?
Follow the diagrams to make this patchwork piece, based on an octagon in a square.
Take 5 cubes of one colour and 2 of another colour. How many different ways can you join them if the 5 must touch the table and the 2 must not touch the table?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of this junk?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of Wai Ping, Wah Ming and Chi Wing?
Have a go at drawing these stars which use six points drawn around a circle. Perhaps you can create your own designs?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of this telephone?
This problem focuses on Dienes' Logiblocs. What is the same and what is different about these pairs of shapes? Can you describe the shapes in the picture?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of Little Fung at the table?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of Little Ming playing the board game?
Can you recreate this Indian screen pattern? Can you make up similar patterns of your own?
Let's say you can only use two different lengths - 2 units and 4 units. Using just these 2 lengths as the edges how many different cuboids can you make?
Using different numbers of sticks, how many different triangles are you able to make? Can you make any rules about the numbers of sticks that make the most triangles?
Kaia is sure that her father has worn a particular tie twice a week in at least five of the last ten weeks, but her father disagrees. Who do you think is right?
Can you see which tile is the odd one out in this design? Using the basic tile, can you make a repeating pattern to decorate our wall?
Make a cube out of straws and have a go at this practical challenge.
If you'd like to know more about Primary Maths Masterclasses, this is the package to read! Find out about current groups in your region or how to set up your own.
Watch this "Notes on a Triangle" film. Can you recreate parts of the film using cut-out triangles?
Looking at the picture of this Jomista Mat, can you decribe what you see? Why not try and make one yourself?
Kimie and Sebastian were making sticks from interlocking cubes and lining them up. Can they make their lines the same length? Can they make any other lines?
In how many ways can you fit two of these yellow triangles together? Can you predict the number of ways two blue triangles can be fitted together?
This practical activity challenges you to create symmetrical designs by cutting a square into strips.