Conjecturing and generalising

There are 405 NRICH Mathematical resources connected to Conjecturing and generalising
Irrational arithmagons
problem

Irrational arithmagons

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Can you work out the irrational numbers that belong in the circles to make the multiplication arithmagon correct?
Ball Bearings
problem

Ball bearings

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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If a is the radius of the axle, b the radius of each ball-bearing, and c the radius of the hub, why does the number of ball bearings n determine the ratio c/a? Find a formula for c/a in terms of n.
One O Five
problem

One o five

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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You can work out the number someone else is thinking of as follows. Ask a friend to think of any natural number less than 100. Then ask them to tell you the remainders when this number is divided by 3, 5 and by 7...
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?
Generally Geometric
problem

Generally geometric

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Generalise the sum of a GP by using derivatives to make the coefficients into powers of the natural numbers.
Building Gnomons
problem

Building gnomons

Age
14 to 16
Challenge level
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Build gnomons that are related to the Fibonacci sequence and try to explain why this is possible.
Overarch 2
problem

Overarch 2

Age
16 to 18
Challenge level
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Bricks are 20cm long and 10cm high. How high could an arch be built without mortar on a flat horizontal surface, to overhang by 1 metre? How big an overhang is it possible to make like this?
Quick Times
problem

Quick times

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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32 x 38 = 30 x 40 + 2 x 8; 34 x 36 = 30 x 40 + 4 x 6; 56 x 54 = 50 x 60 + 6 x 4; 73 x 77 = 70 x 80 + 3 x 7 Verify and generalise if possible.
Great Granddad
problem

Great granddad

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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Great Granddad is very proud of his telegram from the Queen congratulating him on his hundredth birthday and he has friends who are even older than he is... When was he born?
Hidden Rectangles
problem

Hidden rectangles

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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Rectangles are considered different if they vary in size or have different locations. How many different rectangles can be drawn on a chessboard?