List

Hidden Gems

To celebrate NRICH's 20th birthday we have selected some 'hidden gems' to share with you.  

We have chosen some tasks which you may not have come across before, perhaps because they are not so closely linked to the curriculum, perhaps because they have not been featured recently on the website or perhaps because they are relatively new. However, all of them are rich mathematical activities which will intrigue your learners and encourage them to think mathematically.  To find out more about the reasons for selecting each one, take a look at the article below.  

We hope you enjoy exploring.

That number square
problem
Favourite

That number square

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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Exploring the structure of a number square: how quickly can you put the number tiles in the right place on the grid?
Always, Sometimes or Never? KS1
problem
Favourite

Always, Sometimes or Never? KS1

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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Are these statements relating to calculation and properties of shapes always true, sometimes true or never true?

Animated Triangles
problem

Animated Triangles

Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
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Watch this "Notes on a Triangle" film. Can you recreate parts of the film using cut-out triangles?
Up and Down Staircases
problem
Favourite

Up and Down Staircases

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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One block is needed to make an up-and-down staircase, with one step up and one step down. How many blocks would be needed to build an up-and-down staircase with 5 steps up and 5 steps down?
Method in multiplying madness?
problem
Favourite

Method in multiplying madness?

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
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Watch our videos of multiplication methods that you may not have met before. Can you make sense of them?
Ice Cream
problem

Ice Cream

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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You cannot choose a selection of ice cream flavours that includes totally what someone has already chosen. Have a go and find all the different ways in which seven children can have ice cream.
Jig Shapes
problem
Favourite

Jig Shapes

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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Can you each work out what shape you have part of on your card? What will the rest of it look like?

Poly Plug Rectangles
problem
Favourite

Poly Plug Rectangles

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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The computer has made a rectangle and will tell you the number of spots it uses in total. Can you find out where the rectangle is?
Always, Sometimes or Never?
problem
Favourite

Always, Sometimes or Never?

Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
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Are these statements relating to odd and even numbers always true, sometimes true or never true?

Sets of Numbers
problem

Sets of Numbers

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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How many different sets of numbers with at least four members can you find in the numbers in this box?
Baravelle
problem
Favourite

Baravelle

Age
7 to 16
Challenge level
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What can you see? What do you notice? What questions can you ask?

polygonals
problem

polygonals

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Polygonal numbers are those that are arranged in shapes as they enlarge. Explore the polygonal numbers drawn here.