Combinatorics

  • Cube Net
    problem

    Cube net

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    How many tours visit each vertex of a cube once and only once? How many return to the starting point?
  • Even Squares
    problem

    Even squares

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Can you find squares within a number grid whose entries add up to an even total?
  • Molecular sequencer
    problem

    Molecular sequencer

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Investigate the molecular masses in this sequence of molecules and deduce which molecule has been analysed in the mass spectrometer.
  • Magic Caterpillars
    problem

    Magic caterpillars

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Label the joints and legs of these graph theory caterpillars so that the vertex sums are all equal.
  • Painting Cubes
    problem

    Painting cubes

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Imagine you have six different colours of paint. You paint a cube using a different colour for each of the six faces. How many different cubes can be painted using the same set of six colours?
  • Scratch Cards
    problem

    Scratch cards

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    To win on a scratch card you have to uncover three numbers that add up to more than fifteen. What is the probability of winning a prize?
  • Deep Roots
    problem

    Deep roots

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Find integer solutions to: $\sqrt{a+b\sqrt{x}} + \sqrt{c+d.\sqrt{x}}=1$
  • Plate Spotting
    problem

    Plate spotting

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    I was in my car when I noticed a line of four cars on the lane next to me with number plates starting and ending with J, K, L and M. What order were they in?
  • Domino tetrads
    problem

    Domino tetrads

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Is it possible to use all 28 dominoes arranging them in squares of four? What patterns can you see in the solution(s)?
  • Placeholder: several colourful numbers
    problem

    Vital?

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Third challenge cipher