Exploring and noticing

  • Exploring cubic functions
    problem
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    Exploring Cubic Functions

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Quadratic graphs are very familiar, but what patterns can you explore with cubics?

  • Negative 3 to the power of negative 3.
    problem
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    Negative Powers

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
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    What does this number mean? Which order of 1, 2, 3 and 4 makes the highest value? Which makes the lowest?

  • Back fitter
    problem
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    Back Fitter

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
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    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?

  • Three by One
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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?

  • Equation Attack
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    Equation Attack

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    The equation a^x + b^x = 1 can be solved algebraically in special cases but in general it can only be solved by numerical methods.

  • Root hunter
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    Root Hunter

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    In this short problem, try to find the location of the roots of some unusual functions by finding where they change sign.

  • Climbing Powers
    problem
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    Climbing Powers

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Does it make any difference how we write powers of powers? 

  • It's only a minus sign
    problem
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    It's Only a Minus Sign

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Solve these differential equations to see how a minus sign can change the answer

  • Folium of Descartes
    problem
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    Folium of Descartes

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Investigate the family of graphs given by the equation x^3+y^3=3axy for different values of the constant a.