Filter by: Content type: ALL Problems Articles Games Stage: All Stage 1&2 Stage 2&3 Stage 3&4 Stage 4&5 Challenge level:
Here is a chance to create some attractive images by rotating shapes through multiples of 90 degrees, or 30 degrees, or 72 degrees or...
Delight your friends with this cunning trick! Can you explain how it works?
A jigsaw where pieces only go together if the fractions are equivalent.
Here is a chance to create some Celtic knots and explore the mathematics behind them.
I start with a red, a blue, a green and a yellow marble. I can trade any of my marbles for three others, one of each colour. Can I end up with exactly two marbles of each colour?
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?
Here is a solitaire type environment for you to experiment with. Which targets can you reach?
Can you describe what happens in this film?
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?
How many differently shaped rectangles can you build using these equilateral and isosceles triangles? Can you make 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.
Generate three random numbers to determine the side lengths of a triangle. What triangles can you draw?
Make your own double-sided magic square. But can you complete both sides once you've made the pieces?
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.
A game to make and play based on the number line.
How can you make an angle of 60 degrees by folding a sheet of paper twice?
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?
You have 27 small cubes, 3 each of nine colours. Use the small cubes to make a 3 by 3 by 3 cube so that each face of the bigger cube contains one of every colour.
Use the tangram pieces to make our pictures, or to design some of your own!
Use the interactivity to listen to the bells ringing a pattern. Now it's your turn! Play one of the bells yourself. How do you know when it is your turn to ring?
Move your counters through this snake of cards and see how far you can go. Are you surprised by where you end up?
This article for pupils gives an introduction to Celtic knotwork patterns and a feel for how you can draw them.
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.
The Tower of Hanoi is an ancient mathematical challenge. Working on the building blocks may help you to explain the patterns you notice.
Interior angles can help us to work out which polygons will tessellate. Can we use similar ideas to predict which polygons combine to create semi-regular solids?
This package contains hands-on code breaking activities based on the Enigma Schools Project. Suitable for Stages 2, 3 and 4.
Make an equilateral triangle by folding paper and use it to make patterns of your own.
A game in which players take it in turns to choose a number. Can you block your opponent?
This article for students gives some instructions about how to make some different braids.
Make a clinometer and use it to help you estimate the heights of tall objects.
Make a spiral mobile.
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?
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. . . .
Make some celtic knot patterns using tiling techniques
It might seem impossible but it is possible. How can you cut a playing card to make a hole big enough to walk through?
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?
These models have appeared around the Centre for Mathematical Sciences. Perhaps you would like to try to make some similar models of your own.
Build a scaffold out of drinking-straws to support a cup of water
What shape would fit your pens and pencils best? How can you make it?
Can Jo make a gym bag for her trainers from the piece of fabric she has?
What shape and size of drinks mat is best for flipping and catching?
How does the time of dawn and dusk vary? What about the Moon, how does that change from night to night? Is the Sun always the same? Gather data to help you explore these questions.
What shapes should Elly cut out to make a witch's hat? How can she make a taller hat?
Design and construct a prototype intercooler which will satisfy agreed quality control constraints.
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.
More Logo for beginners. Learn to calculate exterior angles and draw regular polygons using procedures and variables.
How is it possible to predict the card?
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?
A description of how to make the five Platonic solids out of paper.