List

Problems

Problems

Here is a collection of ours - and Libby's - favourite problems which we have enjoyed both at Cambridge and in the classroom!

One Basket or Group Photo
problem

One Basket or Group Photo

Age
7 to 18
Challenge level
3 out of 3
Libby Jared helped to set up NRICH and this is one of her favourite problems. It's a problem suitable for a wide age range and best tackled practically.
Factors and Multiples Puzzle
problem
Favourite

Factors and Multiples Puzzle

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
2 out of 3

Using your knowledge of the properties of numbers, can you fill all the squares on the board?

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?

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?

Tilted Squares
problem
Favourite

Tilted Squares

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
1 out of 3

It's easy to work out the areas of most squares that we meet, but what if they were tilted?

Nine Colours
problem
Favourite

Nine Colours

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
3 out of 3

Can you use small coloured cubes to make a 3 by 3 by 3 cube so that each face of the bigger cube contains one of each colour?

Odds and Evens
problem
Favourite

Odds and Evens

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
1 out of 3

Are these games fair? How can you tell?

Cuboid challenge
problem
Favourite

Cuboid Challenge

Age
11 to 16
Challenge level
2 out of 3

What's the largest volume of box you can make from a square of paper?

Painted Cube
problem
Favourite

Painted Cube

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
2 out of 3

Imagine a large cube made from small red cubes being dropped into a pot of yellow paint. How many of the small cubes will have yellow paint on their faces?