Creating and manipulating expressions and formulae

  • Diverging
    problem

    Diverging

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    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.

  • Look before you leap
    problem

    Look Before You Leap

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Relate these algebraic expressions to geometrical diagrams.

  • Fibonacci Factors
    problem

    Fibonacci Factors

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    For which values of n is the Fibonacci number fn even? Which Fibonnaci numbers are divisible by 3?

  • Circles in Circles
    problem

    Circles in Circles

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    This pattern of six circles contains three unit circles. Work out the radii of the other three circles and the relationship between them.

  • Calculus Countdown
    problem

    Calculus Countdown

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Can you hit the target functions using a set of input functions and a little calculus and algebra?

  • Sweeping Satellite
    problem

    Sweeping Satellite

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Derive an equation which describes satellite dynamics.

  • Just touching
    problem

    Just Touching

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Three semi-circles have a common diameter, each touches the other two and two lie inside the biggest one. What is the radius of the circle that touches all three semi-circles?

  • Ball bearings in a metal wheel.
    problem

    Ball Bearings

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    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.

  • Little and Large
    problem

    Little and Large

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    A point moves around inside a rectangle. What are the least and the greatest values of the sum of the squares of the distances from the vertices?