Filter by: Content type: ALL Problems Articles Games Stage: All Stage 1&2 Stage 2&3 Stage 3&4 Stage 4&5 Challenge level:
Make some celtic knot patterns using tiling techniques
This package contains hands-on code breaking activities based on the Enigma Schools Project. Suitable for Stages 2, 3 and 4.
Exploring balance and centres of mass can be great fun. The resulting structures can seem impossible. Here are some images to encourage you to experiment with non-breakable objects of your own.
These models have appeared around the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. Perhaps you would like to try to make some similar models of your own.
This article for pupils gives an introduction to Celtic knotwork patterns and a feel for how you can draw them.
Galileo, a famous inventor who lived about 400 years ago, came up with an idea similar to this for making a time measuring instrument. Can you turn your pendulum into an accurate minute timer?
Make an equilateral triangle by folding paper and use it to make patterns of your own.
It might seem impossible but it is possible. How can you cut a playing card to make a hole big enough to walk through?
Make a spiral mobile.
You could use just coloured pencils and paper to create this design, but it will be more eye-catching if you can get hold of hammer, nails and string.
Follow these instructions to make a three-piece and/or seven-piece tangram.
A game to make and play based on the number line.
In this article for teachers, Bernard uses some problems to suggest that once a numerical pattern has been spotted from a practical starting point, going back to the practical can help explain. . . .
This article for students gives some instructions about how to make some different braids.
As part of Liverpool08 European Capital of Culture there were a huge number of events and displays. One of the art installations was called "Turning the Place Over". Can you find our how it works?
Use the tangram pieces to make our pictures, or to design some of your own!
Make a mobius band and investigate its properties.
Using these kite and dart templates, you could try to recreate part of Penrose's famous tessellation or design one yourself.
Make a cube with three strips of paper. Colour three faces or use the numbers 1 to 6 to make a die.
Make a ball from triangles!
Make a clinometer and use it to help you estimate the heights of tall objects.
Design and construct a prototype intercooler which will satisfy agreed quality control constraints.
Learn to write procedures and build them into Logo programs. Learn to use variables.
How can you make a curve from straight strips of paper?
Write a Logo program, putting in variables, and see the effect when you change the variables.
Ideas for practical ways of representing data such as Venn and Carroll diagrams.
Did you know mazes tell stories? Find out more about mazes and make one of your own.
How many differently shaped rectangles can you build using these equilateral and isosceles triangles? Can you make a square?
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.
Surprise your friends with this magic square trick.
Can you make the birds from the egg tangram?
Have a go at drawing these stars which use six points drawn around a circle. Perhaps you can create your own designs?
Draw whirling squares and see how Fibonacci sequences and golden rectangles are connected.
Starting with four different triangles, imagine you have an unlimited number of each type. How many different tetrahedra can you make? Convince us you have found them all.
This is the second in a twelve part introduction to Logo for beginners. In this part you learn to draw polygons.
Can you describe what happens in this film?
How is it possible to predict the card?
More Logo for beginners. Learn to calculate exterior angles and draw regular polygons using procedures and variables.
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?
Follow the diagrams to make this patchwork piece, based on an octagon in a square.
The triangle ABC is equilateral. The arc AB has centre C, the arc BC has centre A and the arc CA has centre B. Explain how and why this shape can roll along between two parallel tracks.
Take a counter and surround it by a ring of other counters that MUST touch two others. How many are needed?
Here is a solitaire type environment for you to experiment with. Which targets can you reach?
I start with a red, a green and a blue marble. I can trade any of my marbles for two others, one of each colour. Can I end up with five more blue marbles than red after a number of such trades?
A description of how to make the five Platonic solids out of paper.
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.
Time for a little mathemagic! Choose any five cards from a pack and show four of them to your partner. How can they work out the fifth?
What happens when a procedure calls itself?
What shapes can you make by folding an A4 piece of paper?
Use the interactivity to play two of the bells in a pattern. How do you know when it is your turn to ring, and how do you know which bell to ring?