Properties of Shapes

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Triple Cubes

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

This challenge involves eight three-cube models made from interlocking cubes. Investigate different ways of putting the models together then compare your constructions.

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Sorting Logic Blocks

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

This activity focuses on similarities and differences between shapes.

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Four Triangles Puzzle

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Cut four triangles from a square as shown in the picture. How many different shapes can you make by fitting the four triangles back together?

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The Third Dimension

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Here are four cubes joined together. How many other arrangements of four cubes can you find? Can you draw them on dotty paper?

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Building Blocks

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Here are some pictures of 3D shapes made from cubes. Can you make these shapes yourself?

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Nine-Pin Triangles

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

How many different triangles can you make on a circular pegboard that has nine pegs?

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How Safe Are You?

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

How much do you have to turn these dials by in order to unlock the safes?

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Six Places to Visit

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Can you describe the journey to each of the six places on these maps? How would you turn at each junction?

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The Numbers give the design

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Make new patterns from simple turning instructions. You can have a go using pencil and paper or with a floor robot.

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Counters in the middle

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

This task depends on groups working collaboratively, discussing and reasoning to agree a final product.

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Stick images

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

This task requires learners to explain and help others, asking and answering questions.

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What shape?

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

This task develops spatial reasoning skills. By framing and asking questions a member of the team has to find out what mathematical object they have chosen.

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Bracelets

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

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

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National Flags

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

This problem explores the shapes and symmetries in some national flags.

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Round a hexagon

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

This problem shows that the external angles of an irregular hexagon add to a circle.

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Shape Draw

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Use the information on these cards to draw the shape that is being described.

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Where are they?

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Use the isometric grid paper to find the different polygons.

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A Puzzling Cube

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Here are the six faces of a cube - in no particular order. Here are three views of the cube. Can you deduce where the faces are in relation to each other and record them on the net of this cube?

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Always, Sometimes or Never? Shape

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Are these statements always true, sometimes true or never true?

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Square Corners

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

What is the greatest number of counters you can place on the grid below without four of them lying at the corners of a square?

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Name That Triangle!

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Can you sketch triangles that fit in the cells in this grid? Which ones are impossible? How do you know?

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Guess What?

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Can you find out which 3D shape your partner has chosen before they work out your shape?

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Let Us Reflect

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Where can you put the mirror across the square so that you can still "see" the whole square? How many different positions are possible?

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Sponge Sections

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

You have been given three shapes made out of sponge: a sphere, a cylinder and a cone. Your challenge is to find out how to cut them to make different shapes for printing.

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Cut Nets

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Each of the nets of nine solid shapes has been cut into two pieces. Can you see which pieces go together?

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Stringy Quads

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

This practical problem challenges you to make quadrilaterals with a loop of string. You'll need some friends to help!

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Overlapping Again

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

What shape is the overlap when you slide one of these shapes half way across another? Can you picture it in your head? Use the interactivity to check your visualisation.

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Baravelle

Age

7 to 16

Challenge level

What can you see? What do you notice? What questions can you ask?

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Arranging cubes

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

A task which depends on members of the group working collaboratively to reach a single goal.

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Quad match

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

A task which depends on members of the group noticing the needs of others and responding.

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Making Cuboids

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Let's say you can only use two different lengths - 2 units and 4 units. Using just these 2 lengths as the edges how many different cuboids can you make?

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Egyptian Rope

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

The ancient Egyptians were said to make right-angled triangles using a rope with twelve equal sections divided by knots. What other triangles could you make if you had a rope like this?

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Shapes on the Playground

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Sally and Ben were drawing shapes in chalk on the school playground. Can you work out what shapes each of them drew using the clues?

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Move those Halves

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

For this task, you'll need an A4 sheet and two A5 transparent sheets. Decide on a way of arranging the A5 sheets on top of the A4 sheet and explore ...

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Triangles all Around

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Can you find all the different triangles on these peg boards, and find their angles?

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Board Block Challenge

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Choose the size of your pegboard and the shapes you can make. Can you work out the strategies needed to block your opponent?

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ReflectoR ! RotcelfeR

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Can you place the blocks so that you see the reflection in the picture?

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Inky Cube

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

This cube has ink on each face which leaves marks on paper as it is rolled. Can you work out what is on each face and the route it has taken?

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Cut it Out

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Can you dissect an equilateral triangle into 6 smaller ones? What number of smaller equilateral triangles is it NOT possible to dissect a larger equilateral triangle into?