Combinations

  • Mrs Beeswax
    problem

    Mrs Beeswax

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    In how many ways could Mrs Beeswax put ten coins into her three puddings so that each pudding ended up with at least two coins?

  • Cross-Country Race
    problem

    Cross-country race

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Eight children enter the autumn cross-country race at school. How many possible ways could they come in at first, second and third places?
  • 1 Step 2 Step
    problem

    1 step 2 step

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Liam's house has a staircase with 12 steps. He can go down the steps one at a time or two at time. In how many different ways can Liam go down the 12 steps?
  • Add 3 Dice
    problem

    Add 3 dice

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Three dice are placed in a row. Find a way to turn each one so that the three numbers on top of the dice total the same as the three numbers on the front of the dice. Can you find all the ways to do this?
  • Wag Worms
    problem

    Wag worms

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    When intergalactic Wag Worms are born they look just like a cube. Each year they grow another cube in any direction. Find all the shapes that five-year-old Wag Worms can be.
  • Waiting for Blast Off
    problem

    Waiting for blast off

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    10 space travellers are waiting to board their spaceships. There are two rows of seats in the waiting room. Using the rules, where are they all sitting? Can you find all the possible ways?
  • A Rod and a Pole
    problem

    A rod and a pole

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    A lady has a steel rod and a wooden pole and she knows the length of each. How can she measure out an 8 unit piece of pole?
  • Map Folding
    problem

    Map folding

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Take a rectangle of paper and fold it in half, and half again, to make four smaller rectangles. How many different ways can you fold it up?
  • Calendar Cubes
    problem

    Calendar cubes

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Make a pair of cubes that can be moved to show all the days of the month from the 1st to the 31st.
  • Team Scream
    problem

    Team scream

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Seven friends went to a fun fair with lots of scary rides. They decided to pair up for rides until each friend had ridden once with each of the others. What was the total number rides?