Exploring and noticing

  • A glue stick with the lid off.
    problem
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    Sticky Numbers

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Can you arrange the numbers 1 to 17 in a row so that each adjacent pair adds up to a square number?

  • How much can we spend?
    problem
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    How Much Can We Spend?

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    A country has decided to have just two different coins. Which totals can be made? Is there a largest total that cannot be made? How do you know?

  • Going round in circles
    problem
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    Going Round in Circles

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Mathematicians are always looking for efficient methods for solving problems. How efficient can you be?

  • Shifting Times Tables
    problem
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    Shifting Times Tables

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Can you find a way to identify times tables after they have been shifted up or down?

  • problem
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    How Would You Score It?

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Invent a scoring system for a 'guess the weight' competition.

  • Attractive rotations
    problem
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    Attractive Rotations

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Here is a chance to create some attractive images by rotating shapes through multiples of 90 degrees, or 30 degrees, or 72 degrees or...

  • Your number was...
    problem
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    Your Number Was...

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Think of a number and follow my instructions. Tell me your answer, and I'll tell you what you started with! Can you explain how I know?

  • What does random look like?
    problem
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    What Does Random Look Like?

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Engage in a little mathematical detective work to see if you can spot the fakes.

  • Perimeter Expressions
    problem
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    Perimeter Expressions

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Create some shapes by combining two or more rectangles. What can you say about the areas and perimeters of the shapes you can make?

  • What numbers can we make?
    problem
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    What Numbers Can We Make?

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Imagine we have four bags containing a large number of 1s, 4s, 7s and 10s. What numbers can we make?