Locus/loci

  • Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'
    problem

    Rollin' rollin' rollin'

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    Two circles of equal radius touch at P. One circle is fixed whilst the other moves, rolling without slipping, all the way round. How many times does the moving coin revolve before returning to P?
  • An Unusual Shape
    problem

    An unusual shape

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    Can you maximise the area available to a grazing goat?

  • Rolling Around
    problem

    Rolling around

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    A circle rolls around the outside edge of a square so that its circumference always touches the edge of the square. Can you describe the locus of the centre of the circle?
  • Triangles and petals
    problem

    Triangles and petals

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    An equilateral triangle rotates around regular polygons and produces an outline like a flower. What are the perimeters of the different flowers?

  • Five circuits, seven spins
    problem

    Five circuits, seven spins

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    A circular plate rolls inside a rectangular tray making five circuits and rotating about its centre seven times. Find the dimensions of the tray.
  • Rolling Triangle
    problem

    Rolling triangle

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    The triangle ABC is equilateral. The arc AB has centre C, the arc BC has centre A and the arc CA has centre B. Explain how and why this shape can roll along between two parallel tracks.
  • The Old Goats
    problem

    The old goats

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    A rectangular field has two posts with a ring on top of each post. There are two quarrelsome goats and plenty of ropes which you can tie to their collars. How can you secure them so they can't fight each other but can reach every corner of the field?
  • Roaming Rhombus
    problem

    Roaming rhombus

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    We have four rods of equal lengths hinged at their endpoints to form a rhombus ABCD. Keeping AB fixed we allow CD to take all possible positions in the plane. What is the locus (or path) of the point D?
  • Is there a theorem?
    problem

    Is there a theorem?

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    Draw a square. A second square of the same size slides around the first always maintaining contact and keeping the same orientation. How far does the dot travel?
  • Set Square
    problem

    Set square

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    A triangle PQR, right angled at P, slides on a horizontal floor with Q and R in contact with perpendicular walls. What is the locus of P?