Optimising - January 2005, Stage 2&3

Problems

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The Money Maze

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Go through the maze, collecting and losing your money as you go. Which route gives you the highest return? And the lowest?

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The Thousands Game

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Each child in Class 3 took four numbers out of the bag. Who had made the highest even number?

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Finding Fifteen

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Tim had nine cards each with a different number from 1 to 9 on it. How could he have put them into three piles so that the total in each pile was 15?

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One Million to Seven

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

Start by putting one million (1 000 000) into the display of your calculator. Can you reduce this to 7 using just the 7 key and add, subtract, multiply, divide and equals as many times as you like?

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Fence It

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

If you have only 40 metres of fencing available, what is the maximum area of land you can fence off?

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Sending a Parcel

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

What is the greatest volume you can get for a rectangular (cuboid) parcel if the maximum combined length and girth are 2 metres?

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Got a Strategy for Last Biscuit?

Stage: 3 and 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

Can you beat the computer in the challenging strategy game?

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice. More information on many of our other activities can be found here.
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