List

Learning to Collaborate

You might think of mathematics as a solitary pursuit, but in fact, many mathematical breakthroughs have been made by people working together to solve problems that they couldn't tackle alone. The problems in this collection include suggestions of multiple ways to think about the mathematics, so why not try an approach that you might not usually think of? If you have someone else to work with on the problems, even better!

Seven Squares and Marbles in a Box include solutions that have previously been submitted to NRICH, so you may wish to try these problems first and then compare your approach with the published ones. Then try Mixing Lemonade and Steel Cables, and send us your solutions!

Seven Squares
problem
Favourite

Seven Squares

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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Watch these videos to see how Phoebe, Alice and Luke chose to draw 7 squares. How would they draw 100?
Marbles in a box
problem
Favourite

Marbles in a box

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
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How many winning lines can you make in a three-dimensional version of noughts and crosses?
Mixing Lemonade
problem
Favourite

Mixing Lemonade

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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Can you work out which drink has the stronger flavour?

Steel Cables
problem
Favourite

Steel Cables

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
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Some students have been working out the number of strands needed for different sizes of cable. Can you make sense of their solutions?