Flexible Approaches to Problem Solving

Being able to solve problems flexibly is a key ingredient of what it means to be a good mathematician. The problems in this feature are designed to offer alternative ways of thinking about situations so that students can explore different ways of arriving at a solution.

Shear Magic
Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

Explore the area of families of parallelograms and triangles. Can you find rules to work out the areas?

Countdown
Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level

Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.

Countdown Fractions
Age 11 to 16
Challenge Level

Here is a chance to play a fractions version of the classic Countdown Game.

Triangle in a Trapezium
Age 11 to 16
Challenge Level

Can you find and prove the relationship between the area of a trapezium and the area of a triangle constructed within it?

The Square Under the Hypotenuse
Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level

Can you work out the side length of a square that just touches the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle?

The Farmers' Field Boundary
Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

The farmers want to redraw their field boundary but keep the area the same. Can you advise them?