Filter by: Content type: ALL Problems Articles Games Stage: All Stage 1&2 Stage 2&3 Stage 3&4 Stage 4&5 Challenge level:
This challenge invites you to create your own picture using just straight lines. Can you identify shapes with the same number of sides and decorate them in the same way?
Using a loop of string stretched around three of your fingers, what different triangles can you make? Draw them and sort them into groups.
What shapes can you make by folding an A4 piece of paper?
We have a box of cubes, triangular prisms, cones, cuboids, cylinders and tetrahedrons. Which of the buildings would fall down if we tried to make them?
Have you noticed that triangles are used in manmade structures? Perhaps there is a good reason for this? 'Test a Triangle' and see how rigid triangles are.
Watch this "Notes on a Triangle" film. Can you recreate parts of the film using cut-out triangles?
Make a chair and table out of interlocking cubes, making sure that the chair fits under the table!
Try continuing these patterns made from triangles. Can you create your own repeating pattern?
Have you ever noticed the patterns in car wheel trims? These questions will make you look at car wheels in a different way!
Explore the triangles that can be made with seven sticks of the same length.
Can you cut a regular hexagon into two pieces to make a parallelogram? Try cutting it into three pieces to make a rhombus!
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?
This practical problem challenges you to make quadrilaterals with a loop of string. You'll need some friends to help!
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 make five differently sized squares from the tangram pieces?
Can you make a rectangle with just 2 dominoes? What about 3, 4, 5, 6, 7...?
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?
Follow the diagrams to make this patchwork piece, based on an octagon in a square.
Looking at the picture of this Jomista Mat, can you decribe what you see? Why not try and make one yourself?
This practical problem challenges you to create shapes and patterns with two different types of triangle. You could even try overlapping them.
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?
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.
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?
Here's a simple way to make a Tangram without any measuring or ruling lines.
Ideas for practical ways of representing data such as Venn and Carroll diagrams.
Can you make the birds from the egg tangram?
NRICH December 2006 advent calendar - a new tangram for each day in the run-up to Christmas.
A group of children are discussing the height of a tall tree. How would you go about finding out its height?
Can you make the most extraordinary, the most amazing, the most unusual patterns/designs from these triangles which are made in a special way?
You have been given three shapes made out of sponge: a sphere, a cylinder and a cone. Your challenge is to find out how to cut them to make different shapes for printing.
Can you recreate this Indian screen pattern? Can you make up similar patterns of your own?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of these clocks?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of these people?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of the child walking home from school?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of the lobster, yacht and cyclist?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of this shape. How would you describe it?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of the chairs?
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 this junk?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of Wai Ping, Wah Ming and Chi Wing?
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?
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 Little Ming playing the board game?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of this telephone?
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 three triangles to fill these outline shapes. Perhaps you can create some of your own shapes for a friend to fill?
Take a rectangle of paper and fold it in half, and half again, to make four smaller rectangles. How many different ways can you fold it up?
Can you each work out what shape you have part of on your card? What will the rest of it look like?
Our 2008 Advent Calendar has a 'Making Maths' activity for every day in the run-up to Christmas.