Being resourceful

  • Perfectly Square
    problem
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    Perfectly Square

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    The sums of the squares of three related numbers is also a perfect square - can you explain why?

  • Painted Cube
    problem
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    Painted Cube

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    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?

  • The Spider and the Fly
    problem
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    The Spider and the Fly

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    A spider is sitting in the middle of one of the smallest walls in a room and a fly is resting beside the window. What is the shortest distance the spider would have to crawl to catch the fly?

  • Areas of parallelograms
    problem
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    Areas of Parallelograms

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Can you find the area of a parallelogram defined by two vectors?

  • Trapezium Four
    problem
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    Trapezium Four

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    The diagonals of a trapezium divide it into four parts. Can you create a trapezium where three of those parts are equal in area?

  • Gutter
    problem
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    Gutter

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Manufacturers need to minimise the amount of material used to make their product. What is the best cross-section for a gutter?

  • Negatively Triangular
    problem
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    Negatively Triangular

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    How many intersections do you expect from four straight lines ? Which three lines enclose a triangle with negative co-ordinates for every point ?

  • The Legacy
    problem
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    The Legacy

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Your school has been left a million pounds in the will of an ex-pupil. What model of investment and spending would you use in order to ensure the best return on the money?

  • For richer for poorer
    problem
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    For Richer for Poorer

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Charlie has moved between countries and the average income of both has increased. How can this be so?

  • Speeding boats
    problem
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    Speeding Boats

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Two boats travel up and down a lake. Can you picture where they will cross if you know how fast each boat is travelling?