Being Curious - Algebra

Summing Consecutive Numbers

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

15 = 7 + 8 and 10 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4. Can you say which numbers can be expressed as the sum of two or more consecutive integers?

How Old Am I?

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level

In 15 years' time my age will be the square of my age 15 years ago. Can you work out my age, and when I had other special birthdays?

What's Possible?

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level

Many numbers can be expressed as the difference of two perfect squares. What do you notice about the numbers you CANNOT make?

What's it Worth?

Age 11 to 16
Challenge Level

There are lots of different methods to find out what the shapes are worth - how many can you find?

Think of Two Numbers

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

Think of two whole numbers under 10, and follow the steps. I can work out both your numbers very quickly. How?

Pick's Theorem

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level

Polygons drawn on square dotty paper have dots on their perimeter (p) and often internal (i) ones as well. Find a relationship between p, i and the area of the polygons.

Special Numbers

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

My two digit number is special because adding the sum of its digits to the product of its digits gives me my original number. What could my number be?

Pair Products

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level

Choose four consecutive whole numbers. Multiply the first and last numbers together. Multiply the middle pair together. What do you notice?

Number Pyramids

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

Try entering different sets of numbers in the number pyramids. How does the total at the top change?

More Number Pyramids

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

When number pyramids have a sequence on the bottom layer, some interesting patterns emerge...

Your Number Is...

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level

Think of a number and follow the machine's instructions... I know what your number is! Can you explain how I know?

Arithmagons

Age 11 to 16
Challenge Level

Can you find the values at the vertices when you know the values on the edges?

Elevenses

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

How many pairs of numbers can you find that add up to a multiple of 11? Do you notice anything interesting about your results?

Shifting Times Tables

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

Can you find a way to identify times tables after they have been shifted up or down?

Partly Painted Cube

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level

Jo made a cube from some smaller cubes, painted some of the faces of the large cube, and then took it apart again. 45 small cubes had no paint on them at all. How many small cubes did Jo use?

A Little Light Thinking

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level

Here is a machine with four coloured lights. Can you make two lights switch on at once? Three lights? All four lights?

Charlie's Delightful Machine

Age 11 to 16
Challenge Level

Here is a machine with four coloured lights. Can you develop a strategy to work out the rules controlling each light?

Your Number Was...

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

Think of a number and follow my instructions. Tell me your answer, and I'll tell you what you started with! Can you explain how I know?

What Numbers Can We Make?

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

Imagine we have four bags containing a large number of 1s, 4s, 7s and 10s. What numbers can we make?

Multiplication Arithmagons

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level

Can you find the values at the vertices when you know the values on the edges of these multiplication arithmagons?

What Numbers Can We Make Now?

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

Imagine we have four bags containing numbers from a sequence. What numbers can we make now?

Reversals

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

Where should you start, if you want to finish back where you started?

Fruity Totals

Age 7 to 16
Challenge Level

In this interactivity each fruit has a hidden value. Can you deduce what each one is worth?

The Number Jumbler

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level

The Number Jumbler can always work out your chosen symbol. Can you work out how?