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Cubes

Investigate the number of faces you can see when you arrange three cubes in different ways.

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Pebbles

Place four pebbles on the sand in the form of a square. Keep adding as few pebbles as necessary to double the area. How many extra pebbles are added each time?

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Bracelets

Investigate the different shaped bracelets you could make from 18 different spherical beads. How do they compare if you use 24 beads?

Up and Down Staircases

Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:

One block is needed to make an up-and-down staircase, with one step up and one step down.

single cube

$4$ blocks make an up-and-down staircase with $2$ steps up and $2$ steps down.

four cubes in 2 step up and down staircase

How many blocks would be needed to build an up-and-down staircase with $5$ steps up and $5$ steps down?

Explain how you would work out the number of blocks needed to build a staircase with any number of steps.


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.
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