Creating and manipulating expressions and formulae

  • Telescoping Functions
    article

    Telescoping functions

    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.
  • Magic squares for special occasions
    article

    Magic squares for special occasions

    This article explains how to make your own magic square to mark a special occasion with the special date of your choice on the top line.
  • Reaction rates!
    article

    Reaction rates!

    Fancy learning a bit more about rates of reaction, but don't know where to look? Come inside and find out more...
  • Absurdity Again
    problem

    Absurdity again

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    What is the value of the integers a and b where sqrt(8-4sqrt3) = sqrt a - sqrt b?
  • Old Nuts
    problem

    Old nuts

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    In turn 4 people throw away three nuts from a pile and hide a quarter of the remainder finally leaving a multiple of 4 nuts. How many nuts were at the start?
  • Incircles
    problem

    Incircles

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    The incircles of 3, 4, 5 and of 5, 12, 13 right angled triangles have radii 1 and 2 units respectively. What about triangles with an inradius of 3, 4 or 5 or ...?
  • Polynomial Relations
    problem

    Polynomial relations

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    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.
  • How Many Solutions?
    problem

    How many solutions?

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Find all the solutions to the this equation.
  • Three Ways
    problem

    Three ways

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    If x + y = -1 find the largest value of xy by coordinate geometry, by calculus and by algebra.