Filter by: Content type: ALL Problems Articles Games Stage: All Stage 1&2 Stage 2&3 Stage 3&4 Stage 4&5 Challenge level:
An activity making various patterns with 2 x 1 rectangular tiles.
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?
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?
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?
How many models can you find which obey these rules?
Arrange 9 red cubes, 9 blue cubes and 9 yellow cubes into a large 3 by 3 cube. No row or column of cubes must contain two cubes of the same colour.
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?
How many triangles can you make on the 3 by 3 pegboard?
This practical investigation invites you to make tessellating shapes in a similar way to the artist Escher.
How can you put five cereal packets together to make different shapes if you must put them face-to-face?
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?
How many different cuboids can you make when you use four CDs or DVDs? How about using five, then six?
Are all the possible combinations of two shapes included in this set of 27 cards? How do you know?
Investigate the smallest number of moves it takes to turn these mats upside-down if you can only turn exactly three at a time.
Can you make the most extraordinary, the most amazing, the most unusual patterns/designs from these triangles which are made in a special way?
What is the smallest cuboid that you can put in this box so that you cannot fit another that's the same into it?
How can you arrange the 5 cubes so that you need the smallest number of Brush Loads of paint to cover them? Try with other numbers of cubes as well.
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?
Can you order pictures of the development of a frog from frogspawn and of a bean seed growing into a plant?
The ancient Egyptians were said to make right-angled triangles using a rope with twelve equal sections divided by knots. What other triangles could you make if you had a rope like this?
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?
Here is a version of the game 'Happy Families' for you to make and play.
NRICH December 2006 advent calendar - a new tangram for each day in the run-up to Christmas.
This activity investigates how you might make squares and pentominoes from Polydron.
This was a problem for our birthday website. Can you use four of these pieces to form a square? How about making a square with all five pieces?
Our 2008 Advent Calendar has a 'Making Maths' activity for every 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?
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?
Can you each work out the number on your card? What do you notice? How could you sort the cards?
In this challenge, you will work in a group to investigate circular fences enclosing trees that are planted in square or triangular arrangements.
Can you create more models that follow these rules?
We went to the cinema and decided to buy some bags of popcorn so we asked about the prices. Investigate how much popcorn each bag holds so find out which we might have bought.
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 the child walking home from school?
Looking at the picture of this Jomista Mat, can you decribe what you see? Why not try and make one yourself?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of this shape. How would you describe it?
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.
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of the chairs?
Can you recreate this Indian screen pattern? Can you make up similar patterns of your own?
This practical problem challenges you to create shapes and patterns with two different types of triangle. You could even try overlapping them.
Take a counter and surround it by a ring of other counters that MUST touch two others. How many are needed?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of Little Ming playing the board game?
Follow the diagrams to make this patchwork piece, based on an octagon in a square.
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 brazier for roasting chestnuts?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outlines of these people?
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 outlines of these clocks?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of this telephone?
Can you fit the tangram pieces into the outline of this junk?