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Broad Topics > Algebra > Manipulating algebraic expressions/formulae

Consecutive Squares

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

The squares of any 8 consecutive numbers can be arranged into two sets of four numbers with the same sum. True of false?

How Many Solutions?

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Find all the solutions to the this equation.

Sums of Squares

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Prove that 3 times the sum of 3 squares is the sum of 4 squares. Rather easier, can you prove that twice the sum of two squares always gives the sum of two squares?

Root to Poly

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Find the polynomial p(x) with integer coefficients such that one solution of the equation p(x)=0 is $1+\sqrt 2+\sqrt 3$.

Perfectly Square

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

The sums of the squares of three related numbers is also a perfect square - can you explain why?

Three Ways

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

If x + y = -1 find the largest value of xy by coordinate geometry, by calculus and by algebra.

Simplifying Doughnut

Stage: 4 and 5 Challenge Level:

An algebra task which depends on members of the group noticing the needs of others and responding.

Binomial

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

By considering powers of (1+x), show that the sum of the squares of the binomial coefficients from 0 to n is 2nCn

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Robert noticed some interesting patterns when he highlighted square numbers in a spreadsheet. Can you prove that the patterns will continue?

Reciprocals

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Prove that the product of the sum of n positive numbers with the sum of their reciprocals is not less than n^2.

Algebra Match

Stage: 3 and 4 Challenge Level:

A task which depends on members of the group noticing the needs of others and responding.

Algebra from Geometry

Stage: 3 and 4 Challenge Level:

Account of an investigation which starts from the area of an annulus and leads to the formula for the difference of two squares.

Magic Sums and Products

Stage: 3 and 4

How to build your own magic squares.

Really Mr. Bond

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

115^2 = (110 x 120) + 25, that is 13225 895^2 = (890 x 900) + 25, that is 801025 Can you explain what is happening and generalise?

Unusual Long Division - Square Roots Before Calculators

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

However did we manage before calculators? Is there an efficient way to do a square root if you have to do the work yourself?

There and Back

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Brian swims at twice the speed that a river is flowing, downstream from one moored boat to another and back again, taking 12 minutes altogether. How long would it have taken him in still water?

Absurdity Again

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

What is the value of the integers a and b where sqrt(8-4sqrt3) = sqrt a - sqrt b?

System Speak

Stage: 4 and 5 Challenge Level:

Solve the system of equations: ab = 1 bc = 2 cd = 3 de = 4 ea = 6

' Tis Whole

Stage: 4 and 5 Challenge Level:

Take a few whole numbers away from a triangle number. If you know the mean of the remaining numbers can you find the triangle number and which numbers were removed?

Janine's Conjecture

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Janine noticed, while studying some cube numbers, that if you take three consecutive whole numbers and multiply them together and then add the middle number of the three, you get the middle number. . . .

Always Two

Stage: 4 and 5 Challenge Level:

Find all the triples of numbers a, b, c such that each one of them plus the product of the other two is always 2.

Back to Basics

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Find b where 3723(base 10) = 123(base b).

Graphic Biology

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Several graphs of the sort occurring commonly in biology are given. How many processes can you map to each graph?

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Find all positive integers a and b for which the two equations: x^2-ax+b = 0 and x^2-bx+a = 0 both have positive integer solutions.

Sums of Pairs

Stage: 3 and 4 Challenge Level:

Jo has three numbers which she adds together in pairs. When she does this she has three different totals: 11, 17 and 22 What are the three numbers Jo had to start with?”

DOTS Division

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Take any pair of two digit numbers x=ab and y=cd where, without loss of generality, ab > cd . Form two 4 digit numbers r=abcd and s=cdab and calculate: {r^2 - s^2} /{x^2 - y^2}.

Salinon

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

This shape comprises four semi-circles. What is the relationship between the area of the shaded region and the area of the circle on AB as diameter?

And So on - and on -and On

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Can you find the value of this function involving algebraic fractions for x=2000?

Complex Partial Fractions

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

To break down an algebraic fraction into partial fractions in which all the denominators are linear and all the numerators are constants you simetimes need complex numbers.

Diverging

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Show that for natural numbers x and y if x/y > 1 then x/y>(x+1)/(y+1}>1. Hence prove that the product for i=1 to n of [(2i)/(2i-1)] tends to infinity as n tends to infinity.

Telescoping Functions

Stage: 5

Take a complicated fraction with the product of five quartics top and bottom and reduce this to a whole number. This is a numerical example involving some clever algebra.

Mechanical Integration

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

To find the integral of a polynomial, evaluate it at some special points and add multiples of these values.

Look Before You Leap

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Relate these algebraic expressions to geometrical diagrams.

Polynomial Relations

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Given any two polynomials in a single variable it is always possible to eliminate the variable and obtain a formula showing the relationship between the two polynomials. Try this one.

Lap Times

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Two cyclists, practising on a track, pass each other at the starting line and go at constant speeds... Can you find lap times that are such that the cyclists will meet exactly half way round the. . . .

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

If a sum invested gains 10% each year how long before it has doubled its value?

Interpolating Polynomials

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Given a set of points (x,y) with distinct x values, find a polynomial that goes through all of them, then prove some results about the existence and uniqueness of these polynomials.

Pair Squares

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

The sum of any two of the numbers 2, 34 and 47 is a perfect square. Choose three square numbers and find sets of three integers with this property. Generalise to four integers.

Particularly General

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

By proving these particular identities, prove the existence of general cases.

Matchless

Stage: 3 and 4 Challenge Level:

There is a particular value of x, and a value of y to go with it, which make all five expressions equal in value, can you find that x, y pair ?

Cosines Rule

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Three points A, B and C lie in this order on a line, and P is any point in the plane. Use the Cosine Rule to prove the following statement.

Always Perfect

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Show that if you add 1 to the product of four consecutive numbers the answer is ALWAYS a perfect square.

Never Prime

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

If a two digit number has its digits reversed and the smaller of the two numbers is subtracted from the larger, prove the difference can never be prime.

Poly Fibs

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

A sequence of polynomials starts 0, 1 and each poly is given by combining the two polys in the sequence just before it. Investigate and prove results about the roots of the polys.

Nicely Similar

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

If the hypotenuse (base) length is 100cm and if an extra line splits the base into 36cm and 64cm parts, what were the side lengths for the original right-angled triangle?

Calculus Countdown

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Can you hit the target functions using a set of input functions and a little calculus and algebra?

Sweeping Satellite

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Derive an equation which describes satellite dynamics.

Operating Machines

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

What functions can you make using the function machines RECIPROCAL and PRODUCT and the operator machines DIFF and INT?

Garfield's Proof

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Rotate a copy of the trapezium about the centre of the longest side of the blue triangle to make a square. Find the area of the square and then derive a formula for the area of the trapezium.

Chocolate 2010

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to eat chocolate. Multiply this number by 2...