Mathematical induction

  • Obviously?
    problem

    Obviously?

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Find the values of n for which 1^n + 8^n - 3^n - 6^n is divisible by 6.
  • Dirisibly Yours
    problem

    Dirisibly yours

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Find and explain a short and neat proof that 5^(2n+1) + 11^(2n+1) + 17^(2n+1) is divisible by 33 for every non negative integer n.
  • Counting Binary Ops
    problem

    Counting binary ops

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    How many ways can the terms in an ordered list be combined by repeating a single binary operation. Show that for 4 terms there are 5 cases and find the number of cases for 5 terms and 6 terms.
  • Walkabout
    problem

    Walkabout

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    A walk is made up of diagonal steps from left to right, starting at the origin and ending on the x-axis. How many paths are there for 4 steps, for 6 steps, for 8 steps?
  • One Basket or Group Photo
    problem

    One basket or group photo

    Age
    7 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Libby Jared helped to set up NRICH and this is one of her favourite problems. It's a problem suitable for a wide age range and best tackled practically.
  • Golden Powers
    problem

    Golden powers

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    You add 1 to the golden ratio to get its square. How do you find higher powers?
  • Binary Squares
    problem

    Binary squares

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    If a number N is expressed in binary by using only 'ones,' what can you say about its square (in binary)?
  • Growing
    problem

    Growing

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Which is larger: (a) 1.000001^{1000000} or 2? (b) 100^{300} or 300! (i.e.factorial 300)
  • 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?
  • OK! Now prove it
    problem

    OK! Now prove it

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Make a conjecture about the sum of the squares of the odd positive integers. Can you prove it?