Ratio and proportion

  • Burning down
    problem

    Burning Down

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    One night two candles were lit. Can you work out how long each candle was originally?
  • Two Ladders
    problem
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    Two Ladders

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Two ladders are propped up against facing walls. At what height do the ladders cross?

  • Sitting Pretty
    problem
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    Sitting Pretty

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    A circle of radius r touches two sides of a right angled triangle, sides x and y, and has its centre on the hypotenuse. Can you prove the formula linking x, y and r?

  • Rhombus in Rectangle
    problem

    Rhombus in Rectangle

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Take any rectangle ABCD such that AB > BC. The point P is on AB and Q is on CD. Show that there is exactly one position of P and Q such that APCQ is a rhombus.
  • Triangle in a Triangle
    problem
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    Triangle in a Triangle

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Can you work out the fraction of the original triangle that is covered by the inner triangle?

  • Tin Tight
    problem

    Tin Tight

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    What's the most efficient proportion for a 1 litre tin of paint?

  • Trapezium Four
    problem
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    Trapezium Four

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    The diagonals of a trapezium divide it into four parts. Can you create a trapezium where three of those parts are equal in area?

  • Speeding boats
    problem
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    Speeding Boats

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Two boats travel up and down a lake. Can you picture where they will cross if you know how fast each boat is travelling?

  • The Fastest Cyclist
    problem

    The Fastest Cyclist

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Andy is desperate to reach John o'Groats first. Can you devise a winning race plan?

  • Golden Thoughts
    problem
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    Golden Thoughts

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Rectangle PQRS has X and Y on the edges. Triangles PQY, YRX and XSP have equal areas. Prove X and Y divide the sides of PQRS in the golden ratio.