Creating and Manipulating Linear and Quadratic Expressions: Age 11-14

This is part of our collection of favourite rich tasks arranged by topic.

If you are a teacher, you can find the whole collection on our Secondary Curriculum teacher page.
Alternatively, if you are a student, you'll find the same problems on our Secondary Curriculum student page.


  • Your number is...
    problem
    Favourite

    Your Number Is...

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

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

  • The Number Jumbler
    problem
    Favourite

    The Number Jumbler

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

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

  • Special Numbers
    problem
    Favourite

    Special Numbers

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    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?

  • Number Pyramids
    problem
    Favourite

    Number Pyramids

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

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

  • Crossed Ends
    problem
    Favourite

    Crossed Ends

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Crosses can be drawn on number grids of various sizes. What do you notice when you add opposite ends?

  • Perimeter Expressions
    problem
    Favourite

    Perimeter Expressions

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Create some shapes by combining two or more rectangles. What can you say about the areas and perimeters of the shapes you can make?

  • Think of Two Numbers
    problem
    Favourite

    Think of Two Numbers

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

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

  • More Number Pyramids
    problem
    Favourite

    More Number Pyramids

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

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

  • Always a multiple?
    problem
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    Always a Multiple?

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Think of a two digit number, reverse the digits, and add the numbers together. Something special happens...

  • Reversals
    problem
    Favourite

    Reversals

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

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

  • Fibonacci Surprises
    problem
    Favourite

    Fibonacci Surprises

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Play around with the Fibonacci sequence and discover some surprising results!