Conjecturing and generalising

  • Can you traverse it?
    problem

    Can you traverse it?

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
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    How can you decide if a graph is traversable?

  • Absurdity Again
    problem

    Absurdity again

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    What is the value of the integers a and b where sqrt(8-4sqrt3) = sqrt a - sqrt b?
  • Incircles
    problem

    Incircles

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    The incircles of 3, 4, 5 and of 5, 12, 13 right angled triangles have radii 1 and 2 units respectively. What about triangles with an inradius of 3, 4 or 5 or ...?
  • Loopy
    problem

    Loopy

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Investigate sequences given by $a_n = \frac{1+a_{n-1}}{a_{n-2}}$ for different choices of the first two terms. Make a conjecture about the behaviour of these sequences. Can you prove your conjecture?
  • Chocolate Maths
    problem

    Chocolate maths

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Pick the number of times a week that you eat chocolate. This number must be more than one but less than ten. Multiply this number by 2. Add 5 (for Sunday). Multiply by 50... Can you explain why it works?
  • Threesomes
    problem

    Threesomes

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Imagine an infinitely large sheet of square dotty paper on which you can draw triangles of any size you wish (providing each vertex is on a dot). What areas is it/is it not possible to draw?
  • Mind Reading
    problem

    Mind reading

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Think of a number, add one, double it, take away 3, add the number you first thought of, add 7, divide by 3 and take away the number you first thought of. You should now be left with 2. How do I know?
  • Chocolate 2010
    problem

    Chocolate 2010

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to eat chocolate. Multiply this number by 2...
  • Fibonacci Factors
    problem

    Fibonacci factors

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    For which values of n is the Fibonacci number fn even? Which Fibonnaci numbers are divisible by 3?
  • Taking Steps
    problem

    Taking steps

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
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    In each of the pictures the invitation is for you to: Count what you see. Identify how you think the pattern would continue.