Filter by: Content type: ALL Problems Articles Games Stage: All Stage 1&2 Stage 2&3 Stage 3&4 Stage 4&5 Challenge level:
The family of graphs of x^n + y^n =1 (for even n) includes the circle. Why do the graphs look more and more square as n increases?
By inscribing a circle in a square and then a square in a circle find an approximation to pi. By using a hexagon, can you improve on the approximation?
Which of these continued fractions is bigger and why?
Our first weekly challenge. We kick off with a challenge concerning inequalities.
Take any two numbers between 0 and 1. Prove that the sum of the numbers is always less than one plus their product?
Sketch the graphs of y = sin x and y = tan x and some straight lines. Prove some inequalities.
Some diagrammatic 'proofs' of algebraic identities and inequalities.
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.
Which is the biggest and which the smallest of $2000^{2002}, 2001^{2001} \text{and } 2002^{2000}$?
Prove that in every tetrahedron there is a vertex such that the three edges meeting there have lengths which could be the sides of a triangle.
Farey sequences are lists of fractions in ascending order of magnitude. Can you prove that in every Farey sequence there is a special relationship between Farey neighbours?
Here the diagram says it all. Can you find the diagram?
The challenge is to find the values of the variables if you are to solve this Sudoku.
Attach weights of 1, 2, 4, and 8 units to the four attachment points on the bar. Move the bar from side to side until you find a balance point. Is it possible to predict that position?
Can you build a distribution with the maximum theoretical spread?
Given the mean and standard deviation of a set of marks, what is the greatest number of candidates who could have scored 100%?
Find the maximum value of 1/p + 1/q + 1/r where this sum is less than 1 and p, q, and r are positive integers.
The symbol [ ] means 'the integer part of'. Can the numbers [2x]; 2[x]; [x + 1/2] + [x - 1/2] ever be equal? Can they ever take three different values?
Show that is it impossible to have a tetrahedron whose six edges have lengths 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 units...
Given that u>0 and v>0 find the smallest possible value of 1/u + 1/v given that u + v = 5 by different methods.
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.
Which is the bigger, 9^10 or 10^9 ? Which is the bigger, 99^100 or 100^99 ?
What fractions can you find between the square roots of 56 and 58?
Prove that the product of the sum of n positive numbers with the sum of their reciprocals is not less than n^2.
Is the mean of the squares of two numbers greater than, or less than, the square of their means?
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?
Find the positive integer solutions of the equation (1+1/a)(1+1/b)(1+1/c) = 2
Find all 3 digit numbers such that by adding the first digit, the square of the second and the cube of the third you get the original number, for example 1 + 3^2 + 5^3 = 135.
An inequality involving integrals of squares of functions.
If you take two tests and get a marks out of a maximum b in the first and c marks out of d in the second, does the mediant (a+c)/(b+d)lie between the results for the two tests separately.
Generalise this inequality involving integrals.
Two cubes, each with integral side lengths, have a combined volume equal to the total of the lengths of their edges. How big are the cubes? [If you find a result by 'trial and error' you'll need to. . . .
The familiar Pythagorean 3-4-5 triple gives one solution to (x-1)^n + x^n = (x+1)^n so what about other solutions for x an integer and n= 2, 3, 4 or 5?
Which rational numbers cannot be written in the form x + 1/(y + 1/z) where x, y and z are integers?
Balance the bar with the three weight on the inside.
Three rods of different lengths form three sides of an enclosure with right angles between them. What arrangement maximises the area
Can you find a quadratic equation which passes close to these points?
Which is larger cos(sin x) or sin(cos x) ? Does this depend on x ?
Can you find the solution to this algebraic inequality?
Show without recourse to any calculating aid that 7^{1/2} + 7^{1/3} + 7^{1/4} < 7 and 4^{1/2} + 4^{1/3} + 4^{1/4} > 4 . Sketch the graph of f(x) = x^{1/2} + x^{1/3} + x^{1/4} -x
Find the maximum value of n to the power 1/n and prove that it is a maximum.
Find all the periodic cycles and fixed points in this number sequence using any whole number as a starting point.
Use the diagram to investigate the classical Pythagorean means.