August 2006, All Stages

Problems

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Sizing Them Up

Stage: 1 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Can you put these shapes in order of size? Start with the smallest.

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Wallpaper

Stage: 1 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

These pieces of wallpaper need to be ordered from smallest to largest. Can you find a way to do it?

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Brush Loads

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

How can you arrange the 5 cubes so that you need the smallest number of Brush Loads of paint to cover them? Try with other numbers of cubes as well.

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Torn Shapes

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

These rectangles have been torn. How many squares did each one have inside it before it was ripped?

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More Transformations on a Pegboard

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

Use the interactivity to find all the different right-angled triangles you can make by just moving one corner of the starting triangle.

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Cuboid-in-a-box

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

What is the smallest cuboid that you can put in this box so that you cannot fit another that's the same into it?

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All Wrapped Up

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

What is the largest cuboid you can wrap in an A3 sheet of paper?

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Sea Defences

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

These are pictures of the sea defences at New Brighton. Can you work out what a basic shape might be in both images of the sea wall and work out a way they might fit together?

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Warmsnug Double Glazing

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

How have "Warmsnug" arrived at the prices shown on their windows? Which window has been given an incorrect price?

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Squares in Rectangles

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

A 2 by 3 rectangle contains 8 squares and a 3 by 4 rectangle contains 20 squares. What size rectangle(s) contain(s) exactly 100 squares? Can you find them all?

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Areas of Parallelograms

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

Can you find the area of a parallelogram defined by two vectors?

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Two Shapes & Printer Ink

Stage: 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

If I print this page which shape will require the more yellow ink?

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Trapezium Four

Stage: 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

The diagonals of a trapezium divide it into four parts. Can you create a trapezium where three of those parts are equal in area?

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Peeling the Apple or the Cone That Lost Its Head

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

How much peel does an apple have?

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Integral Equation

Stage: 5 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Solve this integral equation.

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Integral Sandwich

Stage: 5 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Generalise this inequality involving integrals.

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Integral Inequality

Stage: 5 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

An inequality involving integrals of squares of functions.

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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