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Broad Topics > Calculations and Numerical Methods > Estimating and approximating

Dicey Operations

Stage: 2 and 3 Challenge Level:

Who said that adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing couldn't be fun?

Some Games That May Be Nice or Nasty

Stage: 2 and 3 Challenge Level:

There are nasty versions of this dice game but we'll start with the nice ones...

Back Fitter

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

10 graphs of experimental data are given. Can you use a spreadsheet to find algebraic graphs which match them closely, and thus discover the formulae most likely to govern the underlying processes?

Countdown

Stage: 2 and 3 Challenge Level:

Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.

The Not-so-simple Pendulum 1

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

See how the motion of the simple pendulum is not-so-simple after all.

Little Man

Stage: 1 Challenge Level:

The Man is much smaller than us. Can you use the picture of him next to a mug to estimate his height and how much tea he drinks?

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. . . .

Discuss and Choose

Stage: 1 and 2 Challenge Level:

This activity challenges you to decide on the 'best' number to use in each statement. You may need to do some estimating, some calculating and some research.

Big and Small Numbers in Chemistry

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Get some practice using big and small numbers in chemistry.

Biology Measurement Challenge

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Analyse these beautiful biological images and attempt to rank them in size order.

Does This Sound about Right?

Stage: 3 Challenge Level:

Examine these estimates. Do they sound about right?

Counting Sweets

Stage: 2 and 3 Challenge Level:

How might you use mathematics to improve your chances of guessing the number of sweets in a jar?

Branching Processes and Extinction

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

An advanced mathematical exploration supporting our series of articles on population dynamics for advanced students.

The Unmultiply Game

Stage: 2, 3 and 4 Challenge Level:

Unmultiply is a game of quick estimation. You need to find two numbers that multiply together to something close to the given target - fast! 10 levels with a high scores table.

Cobalt Decay

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Investigate the effects of the half-lifes of the isotopes of cobalt on the mass of a mystery lump of the element.

Approximately Certain

Stage: 4 and 5 Challenge Level:

Estimate these curious quantities sufficiently accurately that you can rank them in order of size

Big and Small Numbers in Physics

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Work out the numerical values for these physical quantities.

Power Countdown

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

In this twist on the well-known Countdown numbers game, use your knowledge of Powers and Roots to make a target.

Today's Date - 01/06/2009

Stage: 1 and 2 Challenge Level:

What do you notice about the date 03.06.09? Or 08.01.09? This challenge invites you to investigate some interesting dates yourself.

Using the Haemocytometer

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Practise your skills of proportional reasoning with this interactive haemocytometer.

Time to Evolve

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

How many generations would link an evolutionist to a very distant ancestor?

More or Less?

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Are these estimates of physical quantities accurate?

Big and Small Numbers in Biology

Stage: 4 Challenge Level:

Work with numbers big and small to estimate and calulate various quantities in biological contexts.

Big and Small Numbers in Physics - Group Task

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Work in groups to try to create the best approximations to these physical quantities.

Four Go

Stage: 2 Challenge Level:

This challenge is a game for two players. Choose two numbers from the grid and multiply or divide, then mark your answer on the number line. Can you get four in a row before your partner?

Building Approximations for Sin(x)

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Build up the concept of the Taylor series

What Do Functions Do for Tiny X?

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Looking at small values of functions. Motivating the existence of the Taylor expansion.

Building Patterns

Stage: 2 Challenge Level:

Can you deduce the pattern that has been used to lay out these bottle tops?

Shedding Some Light

Stage: 2 Challenge Level:

Make an estimate of how many light fittings you can see. Was your estimate a good one? How can you decide?

The Magic Number and the Hepta-tree

Stage: 2 Challenge Level:

Find the exact difference between the largest ball and the smallest ball on the Hepta Tree and then use this to work out the MAGIC NUMBER!

Back to School

Stage: 2 Challenge Level:

Mr. Sunshine tells the children they will have 2 hours of homework. After several calculations, Harry says he hasn't got time to do this homework. Can you see where his reasoning is wrong?

Squaring the Circle

Stage: 3 Challenge Level:

Bluey-green, white and transparent squares with a few odd bits of shapes around the perimeter. But, how many squares are there of each type in the complete circle? Study the picture and make. . . .

Whole Numbers Only

Stage: 3 Challenge Level:

Can you work out how many of each kind of pencil this student bought?

Growing

Stage: 5 Challenge Level:

Which is larger: (a) 1.000001^{1000000} or 2? (b) 100^{300} or 300! (i.e.factorial 300)

What's My Weight?

Stage: 2 Short Challenge Level:

There are four equal weights on one side of the scale and an apple on the other side. What can you say that is true about the apple and the weights from the picture?