2D shapes and their properties

  • Ball bearings in a metal wheel.
    problem

    Ball Bearings

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    If a is the radius of the axle, b the radius of each ball-bearing, and c the radius of the hub, why does the number of ball bearings n determine the ratio c/a? Find a formula for c/a in terms of n.

  • A rational search
    problem

    A Rational Search

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star

    Investigate constructible images which contain rational areas.

  • Arclets Explained
    article

    Arclets Explained

    This article gives an wonderful insight into students working on the Arclets problem that first appeared in the Sept 2002 edition of the NRICH website.
  • Pi, a Very Special Number
    article

    Pi, a Very Special Number

    Read all about the number pi and the mathematicians who have tried to find out its value as accurately as possible.
  • Circles, circles everywhere
    article

    Circles, Circles Everywhere

    This article for pupils gives some examples of how circles have featured in people's lives for centuries.
  • What's Inside/Outside/Under the Box?
    article

    What's Inside/outside/under the Box?

    This article describes investigations that offer opportunities for children to think differently, and pose their own questions, about shapes.
  • Lafayette
    page

    Lafayette

    What mathematical words can be used to describe this floor covering? How many different shapes can you see inside this photograph?
  • Watch those Wheels
    page

    Watch Those Wheels

    Have you ever noticed the patterns in car wheel trims? These questions will make you look at car wheels in a different way!