Explaining, convincing and proving

  • Pythagorean Golden Means
    problem

    Pythagorean Golden Means

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Show that the arithmetic mean, geometric mean and harmonic mean of a and b can be the lengths of the sides of a right-angles triangle if and only if a = bx^3, where x is the Golden Ratio.

  • Big, Bigger, Biggest
    problem

    Big, Bigger, Biggest

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Which is the biggest and which the smallest of $2000^{2002}, 2001^{2001} \text{and } 2002^{2000}$?

  • Prime AP
    problem
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    Prime AP

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    What can you say about the common difference of an AP where every term is prime?

  • Flexi Quads
    problem
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    Flexi Quads

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    A quadrilateral changes shape with the edge lengths constant. Show the scalar product of the diagonals is constant. If the diagonals are perpendicular in one position are they always perpendicular?

  • Tetra Inequalities
    problem

    Tetra Inequalities

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Can you prove that in every tetrahedron there is a vertex where the three edges meeting at that vertex have lengths which could be the sides of a triangle?

  • 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.
  • Parabella
    problem
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    Parabella

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    This is a beautiful result involving a parabola and parallels.

  • Magic W Wrap Up
    problem

    Magic W Wrap Up

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Prove that you cannot form a Magic W with a total of 12 or less or with a with a total of 18 or more.

  • Sixty-Seven Squared
    problem
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    Sixty-Seven Squared

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Evaluate these powers of 67. What do you notice? Can you convince someone what the answer would be to (a million sixes followed by a 7) squared?
  • Three by One
    problem
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    Three by One

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    There are many different methods to solve this geometrical problem - how many can you find?