Visualising and representing

  • Wrapping Gifts
    problem

    Wrapping Gifts

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    A box of size a cm by b cm by c cm is to be wrapped with a square piece of wrapping paper. Without cutting the paper what is the smallest square this can be?
  • Escriptions
    problem

    Escriptions

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    For any right-angled triangle find the radii of the three escribed circles touching the sides of the triangle externally.
  • Weighty Problem
    problem

    Weighty Problem

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    The diagram shows a very heavy kitchen cabinet. It cannot be lifted but it can be pivoted around a corner. The task is to move it, without sliding, in a series of turns about the corners so that it is facing the other way round.
  • Screwed-up
    problem

    Screwed-Up

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    A cylindrical helix is just a spiral on a cylinder, like an ordinary spring or the thread on a bolt. If I turn a left-handed helix over (top to bottom) does it become a right handed helix?
  • Counting Triangles
    problem

    Counting Triangles

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Triangles are formed by joining the vertices of a skeletal cube. How many different types of triangle are there? How many triangles altogether?
  • Christmas Boxes
    problem

    Christmas Boxes

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Find all the ways to cut out a 'net' of six squares that can be folded into a cube.
  • Threesomes
    problem

    Threesomes

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Imagine an infinitely large sheet of square dotty paper on which you can draw triangles of any size you wish (providing each vertex is on a dot). What areas is it/is it not possible to draw?
  • Taking Steps
    problem

    Taking Steps

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    In each of the pictures the invitation is for you to: Count what you see. Identify how you think the pattern would continue.
  • Squares, Squares and More Squares
    problem

    Squares, Squares and More Squares

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Can you dissect a square into: 4, 7, 10, 13... other squares? 6, 9, 12, 15... other squares? 8, 11, 14... other squares?
  • Dotty triangles
    problem

    Dotty Triangles

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Imagine an infinitely large sheet of square dotty paper on which you can draw triangles of any size you wish (providing each vertex is on a dot). What areas is it/is it not possible to draw?