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Problem solving is at the heart of the NRICH site. All the problems give learners opportunities to learn, develop or use mathematical concepts and skills. Read here for more information.
This article explains the concepts involved in scientific mathematical computing. It will be very useful and interesting to anyone interested in computer programming or mathematics.
Explain why, when moving heavy objects on rollers, the object moves twice as fast as the rollers. Try a similar experiment yourself.
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. . . .
The second in a series of articles on visualising and modelling shapes in the history of astronomy.
An account of how mathematics is used in computer games including geometry, vectors, transformations, 3D graphics, graph theory and simulations.
First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to eat chocolate. Multiply this number by 2...
Learn about the link between logical arguments and electronic circuits. Investigate the logical connectives by making and testing your own circuits and fill in the blanks in truth tables to record. . . .
This article explores ths history of theories about the shape of our planet. It is the first in a series of articles looking at the significance of geometric shapes in the history of astronomy.
Investigate circuits and record your findings in this simple introduction to truth tables and logic.
It is possible to identify a particular card out of a pack of 15 with the use of some mathematical reasoning. What is this reasoning and can it be applied to other numbers of cards?
Mike and Monisha meet at the race track, which is 400m round. Just to make a point, Mike runs anticlockwise whilst Monisha runs clockwise. Where will they meet on their way around and will they ever. . . .
This problem opens a major sequence of activities on the mathematics of population dynamics for advanced students.
Given the graph of a supply network and the maximum capacity for flow in each section find the maximum flow across the network.
To win on a scratch card you have to uncover three numbers that add up to more than fifteen. What is the probability of winning a prize?
This is about a fiendishly difficult jigsaw and how to solve it using a computer program.
A player has probability 0.4 of winning a single game. What is his probability of winning a 'best of 15 games' tournament?
If a is the radius of the axle, b the radius of each ball-bearing, and c the radius of the hub, why does the number of ball bearings n determine the ratio c/a? Find a formula for c/a in terms of n.
PhysNRICH is the area of the StemNRICH site devoted to the mathematics underlying the study of physics
In this article for teachers, Alan Parr looks at ways that mathematics teaching and learning can start from the useful and interesting things can we do with the subject, including. . . .
How many eggs should a bird lay to maximise the number of chicks that will hatch? An introduction to optimisation.
Formulate and investigate a simple mathematical model for the design of a table mat.
Fancy a game of cricket? Here is a mathematical version you can play indoors without breaking any windows.
See how the motion of the simple pendulum is not-so-simple after all.
Work in groups to try to create the best approximations to these physical quantities.
chemNRICH is the area of the stemNRICH site devoted to the mathematics underlying the study of chemistry, designed to help develop the mathematics required to get the most from your study. . . .
What shapes should Elly cut out to make a witch's hat? How can she make a taller hat?
bioNRICH is the area of the stemNRICH site devoted to the mathematics underlying the study of the biological sciences, designed to help develop the mathematics required to get the most from your. . . .
engNRICH is the area of the stemNRICH site devoted to the mathematics underlying the study of engineering
Invent scenarios which would give rise to these probability density functions.
Simple models which help us to investigate how epidemics grow and die out.
An advanced mathematical exploration supporting our series of articles on population dynamics for advanced students.
First in our series of problems on population dynamics for advanced students.
Look at the calculus behind the simple act of a car going over a step.
Sixth in our series of problems on population dynamics for advanced students.
Second in our series of problems on population dynamics for advanced students.
This is our collection of tasks on the mathematical theme of 'Population Dynamics' for advanced students and those interested in mathematical modelling.
Can you suggest a curve to fit some experimental data? Can you work out where the data might have come from?
Third in our series of problems on population dynamics for advanced students.
Fourth in our series of problems on population dynamics for advanced students.
Fifth in our series of problems on population dynamics for advanced students.
How do scores on dice and factors of polynomials relate to each other?
The probability that a passenger books a flight and does not turn up is 0.05. For an aeroplane with 400 seats how many tickets can be sold so that only 1% of flights are over-booked?
The builders have dug a hole in the ground to be filled with concrete for the foundations of our garage. How many cubic metres of ready-mix concrete should the builders order to fill this hole to. . . .
The third installment in our series on the shape of astronomical systems, this article explores galaxies and the universe beyond our solar system.
Bricks are 20cm long and 10cm high. How high could an arch be built without mortar on a flat horizontal surface, to overhang by 1 metre? How big an overhang is it possible to make like this?
Edward Wallace based his A Level Statistics Project on The Mean Game. Each picks 2 numbers. The winner is the player who picks a number closest to the mean of all the numbers picked.