You may also like

problem icon

Five Circuits, Seven Spins

A circular plate rolls inside a rectangular tray making five circuits and rotating about its centre seven times. Find the dimensions of the tray.

problem icon

Approximating Pi

By inscribing a circle in a square and then a square in a circle find an approximation to pi. By using a hexagon, can you improve on the approximation?

problem icon

A Rolling Disc - Periodic Motion

Imagine a rectangular tray lying flat on a table. Suppose that a plate lies on the tray and rolls around, in contact with the sides as it rolls. What can we say about the motion?

Belt

Age 16 to 18 Challenge Level:

Diagram of problem A length of thin wire ($L$ ) binds together two cylindrical welding rods, whose radii are $R$ and $r$ , by passing all the way around them both.

Find $L$ in terms of $R$ and $r$.

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.
Copyright © 1997 - 2019. University of Cambridge. All rights reserved.
NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.