Attach weights of 1, 2, 4, and 8 units to the four attachment points on the bar. Move the bar from side to side until you find a balance point. Is it possible to predict that position?
Prove that the product of the sum of n positive numbers with the sum of their reciprocals is not less than n^2.
Show that for natural numbers x and y if x/y > 1 then x/y>(x+1)/(y+1}>1. Hence prove that the product for i=1 to n of [(2i)/(2i-1)] tends to infinity as n tends to infinity.
Take any two numbers between 0 and 1. Prove that the sum of the numbers is always less than one plus their product?
Find all positive integers a and b for which the two equations: x^2-ax+b = 0 and x^2-bx+a = 0 both have positive integer solutions.
Take a few whole numbers away from a triangle number. If you know the mean of the remaining numbers can you find the triangle number and which numbers were removed?
The familiar Pythagorean 3-4-5 triple gives one solution to (x-1)^n + x^n = (x+1)^n so what about other solutions for x an integer and n= 2, 3, 4 or 5?
Find the positive integer solutions of the equation (1+1/a)(1+1/b)(1+1/c) = 2
Some diagrammatic 'proofs' of algebraic identities and inequalities.
Two cubes, each with integral side lengths, have a combined volume equal to the total of the lengths of their edges. How big are the cubes? [If you find a result by 'trial and error' you'll need to. . . .
Kyle and his teacher disagree about his test score - who is right?
The challenge is to find the values of the variables if you are to solve this Sudoku.
Given that u>0 and v>0 find the smallest possible value of 1/u + 1/v given that u + v = 5 by different methods.
Find the maximum value of n to the power 1/n and prove that it is a maximum.
Prove that in every tetrahedron there is a vertex such that the three edges meeting there have lengths which could be the sides of a triangle.
Can you prove our inequality holds for all values of x and y between 0 and 1?
An inequality involving integrals of squares of functions.
Is the mean of the squares of two numbers greater than, or less than, the square of their means?
Find the maximum value of 1/p + 1/q + 1/r where this sum is less than 1 and p, q, and r are positive integers.
Use the diagram to investigate the classical Pythagorean means.
Farey sequences are lists of fractions in ascending order of magnitude. Can you prove that in every Farey sequence there is a special relationship between Farey neighbours?
Find all 3 digit numbers such that by adding the first digit, the square of the second and the cube of the third you get the original number, for example 1 + 3^2 + 5^3 = 135.
Three fences of different lengths form three sides of an enclosure. What arrangement maximises the area?
Is it possible to have a tetrahedron whose six edges have lengths 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 units?
Can you find a quadratic equation which passes close to these points?
Can you build a distribution with the maximum theoretical spread?
The symbol [ ] means 'the integer part of'. Can the numbers [2x]; 2[x]; [x + 1/2] + [x - 1/2] ever be equal? Can they ever take three different values?
Which is the biggest and which the smallest of $2000^{2002}, 2001^{2001} \text{and } 2002^{2000}$?
What fractions can you find between the square roots of 65 and 67?
Which is larger cos(sin x) or sin(cos x) ? Does this depend on x ?
Which rational numbers cannot be written in the form x + 1/(y + 1/z) where x, y and z are integers?
The family of graphs of x^n + y^n =1 (for even n) includes the circle. Why do the graphs look more and more square as n increases?
Which of these continued fractions is bigger and why?
Which is the bigger, 9^10 or 10^9 ? Which is the bigger, 99^100 or 100^99 ?
Show without recourse to any calculating aid that 7^{1/2} + 7^{1/3} + 7^{1/4} < 7 and 4^{1/2} + 4^{1/3} + 4^{1/4} > 4 . Sketch the graph of f(x) = x^{1/2} + x^{1/3} + x^{1/4} -x
Sketch the graphs of y = sin x and y = tan x and some straight lines. Prove some inequalities.
By inscribing a circle in a square and then a square in a circle find an approximation to pi. By using a hexagon, can you improve on the approximation?