Being resourceful

  • Thinking Mathematically - Short Problems
    problem

    AP train

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    An arithmetic progression is shifted and shortened, but its sum remains the same...

  • Placeholder: several colourful numbers
    problem

    Speedo

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Investigate the relationship between speeds recorded and the distance travelled in this kinematic scenario.

  • Giants
    problem

    Giants

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Which is the bigger, 9^10 or 10^9 ? Which is the bigger, 99^100 or 100^99 ?

  • A Very Shiny Nose?
    problem

    A very shiny nose?

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    This problem explores the biology behind Rudolph's glowing red nose, and introduces the real life phenomena of bacterial quorum sensing.

  • To swim or to run?
    problem

    To swim or to run?

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    The famous film star Birkhoff Maclane wants to reach her refreshing drink. Should she run around the pool or swim across?

  • Making Waves
    problem

    Making waves

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Which is larger cos(sin x) or sin(cos x) ? Does this depend on x ?

  • Purple crocuses in the snow.
    problem

    Polar flower

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    This polar equation is a quadratic. Plot the graph given by each factor to draw the flower.

  • The not-so-simple pendulum 2
    problem

    The not-so-simple pendulum 2

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Things are roughened up and friction is now added to the approximate simple pendulum