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Square numbers can be represented on the seven-clock (representing these numbers modulo 7). This works like the days of the week.
Alison, Bernard and Charlie have been exploring sequences of odd and even numbers, which raise some intriguing questions...
Make some intricate patterns in LOGO
Choose any 4 whole numbers and take the difference between consecutive numbers, ending with the difference between the first and the last numbers. What happens when you repeat this process over and. . . .
In this activity, the computer chooses a times table and shifts it. Can you work out the table and the shift each time?
Here is a machine with four coloured lights. Can you develop a strategy to work out the rules controlling each light?
Can you find a way to identify times tables after they have been shifted up?
Powers of numbers behave in surprising ways. Take a look at some of these and try to explain why they are true.
There are lots of ideas to explore in these sequences of ordered fractions.
Can you show that 1^99 + 2^99 + 3^99 + 4^99 + 5^99 is divisible by 5?
What is the total area of the first two triangles as a fraction of the original A4 rectangle? What is the total area of the first three triangles as a fraction of the original A4 rectangle? If. . . .
Explain why the arithmetic sequence 1, 14, 27, 40, ... contains many terms of the form 222...2 where only the digit 2 appears.
"Tell me the next two numbers in each of these seven minor spells", chanted the Mathemagician, "And the great spell will crumble away!" Can you help Anna and David break the spell?
What is the remainder when 2^2002 is divided by 7? What happens with different powers of 2?
Three people chose this as a favourite problem. It is the sort of problem that needs thinking time - but once the connection is made it gives access to many similar ideas.
Take any whole number between 1 and 999, add the squares of the digits to get a new number. Make some conjectures about what happens in general.
A story for students about adding powers of integers - with a festive twist.
Have a go at this 3D extension to the Pebbles problem.
Ben’s class were making cutting up number tracks. First they cut them into twos and added up the numbers on each piece. What patterns could they see?
Investigate the successive areas of light blue in these diagrams.
Take any two positive numbers. Calculate the arithmetic and geometric means. Repeat the calculations to generate a sequence of arithmetic means and geometric means. Make a note of what happens to the. . . .
Three circles have a maximum of six intersections with each other. What is the maximum number of intersections that a hundred circles could have?
Show that 8778, 10296 and 13530 are three triangular numbers and that they form a Pythagorean triple.
What would you get if you continued this sequence of fraction sums? 1/2 + 2/1 = 2/3 + 3/2 = 3/4 + 4/3 =
Liam's house has a staircase with 12 steps. He can go down the steps one at a time or two at time. In how many different ways can Liam go down the 12 steps?
Choose a couple of the sequences. Try to picture how to make the next, and the next, and the next... Can you describe your reasoning?
I've made some cubes and some cubes with holes in. This challenge invites you to explore the difference in the number of small cubes I've used. Can you see any patterns?
Polygonal numbers are those that are arranged in shapes as they enlarge. Explore the polygonal numbers drawn here.
A introduction to how patterns can be deceiving, and what is and is not a proof.
Watch these videos to see how Phoebe, Alice and Luke chose to draw 7 squares. How would they draw 100?
Explore one of these five pictures.
Place four pebbles on the sand in the form of a square. Keep adding as few pebbles as necessary to double the area. How many extra pebbles are added each time?
In this investigation, you are challenged to make mobile phone numbers which are easy to remember. What happens if you make a sequence adding 2 each time?
An environment which simulates working with Cuisenaire rods.
While we were sorting some papers we found 3 strange sheets which seemed to come from small books but there were page numbers at the foot of each page. Did the pages come from the same book?
If the numbers 5, 7 and 4 go into this function machine, what numbers will come out?
Liitle Millennium Man was born on Saturday 1st January 2000 and he will retire on the first Saturday 1st January that occurs after his 60th birthday. How old will he be when he retires?
According to an old Indian myth, Sissa ben Dahir was a courtier for a king. The king decided to reward Sissa for his dedication and Sissa asked for one grain of rice to be put on the first square. . . .
How many different sets of numbers with at least four members can you find in the numbers in this box?
Explore this how this program produces the sequences it does. What are you controlling when you change the values of the variables?
How many different ways can I lay 10 paving slabs, each 2 foot by 1 foot, to make a path 2 foot wide and 10 foot long from my back door into my garden, without cutting any of the paving slabs?
Let's suppose that you are going to have a magazine which has 16 pages of A5 size. Can you find some different ways to make these pages? Investigate the pattern for each if you number the pages.
Find the next number in this pattern: 3, 7, 19, 55 ...
What are the next three numbers in this sequence? Can you explain why are they called pyramid numbers?
There are ten children in Becky's group. Can you find a set of numbers for each of them? Are there any other sets?
A tower of squares is built inside a right angled isosceles triangle. The largest square stands on the hypotenuse. What fraction of the area of the triangle is covered by the series of squares?
Can you continue this pattern of triangles and begin to predict how many sticks are used for each new "layer"?
July 1st 2001 was on a Sunday. July 1st 2002 was on a Monday. When did July 1st fall on a Monday again?
In this section from a calendar, put a square box around the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th. Add all the pairs of numbers. What do you notice about the answers?
Your challenge is to find the longest way through the network following this rule. You can start and finish anywhere, and with any shape, as long as you follow the correct order.