Explaining, convincing and proving

  • Composite Notions
    problem

    Composite notions

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    A composite number is one that is neither prime nor 1. Show that 10201 is composite in any base.
  • Convex Polygons
    problem

    Convex polygons

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Show that among the interior angles of a convex polygon there cannot be more than three acute angles.
  • In Constantly Passing
    problem

    In constantly passing

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    A car is travelling along a dual carriageway at constant speed. Every 3 minutes a bus passes going in the opposite direction, while every 6 minutes a bus passes the car travelling in the same direction. Buses leave the depot at regular intervals; they travel along the dual carriageway and back to the depot at a constant speed. At what interval do the buses leave the depot?
  • Tetra Perp
    problem

    Tetra perp

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Show that the edges $AD$ and $BC$ of a tetrahedron $ABCD$ are mutually perpendicular if and only if $AB^2 +CD^2 = AC^2+BD^2$. This problem uses the scalar product of two vectors.

  • Three by One
    problem

    Three by one

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    There are many different methods to solve this geometrical problem - how many can you find?

  • Hexy-Metry
    problem

    Hexy-metry

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    A hexagon, with sides alternately a and b units in length, is inscribed in a circle. How big is the radius of the circle?

  • Ordered Sums
    problem

    Ordered sums

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Let a(n) be the number of ways of expressing the integer n as an ordered sum of 1's and 2's. Let b(n) be the number of ways of expressing n as an ordered sum of integers greater than 1. (i) Calculate a(n) and b(n) for n<8. What do you notice about these sequences? (ii) Find a relation between a(p) and b(q). (iii) Prove your conjectures.

  • Pythagoras for a Tetrahedron
    problem

    Pythagoras for a tetrahedron

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    In a right-angled tetrahedron prove that the sum of the squares of the areas of the 3 faces in mutually perpendicular planes equals the square of the area of the sloping face. A generalisation of Pythagoras' Theorem.

  • Rational Round
    problem

    Rational round

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Show that there are infinitely many rational points on the unit circle and no rational points on the circle x^2+y^2=3.
  • Leonardo's Problem
    problem

    Leonardo's problem

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
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    A, B & C own a half, a third and a sixth of a coin collection. Each grab some coins, return some, then share equally what they had put back, finishing with their own share. How rich are they?