Pythagoras' theorem

  • Baby Circle
    problem

    Baby circle

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    A small circle fits between two touching circles so that all three circles touch each other and have a common tangent? What is the exact radius of the smallest circle?
  • 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 ...?
  • Fitting In
    problem

    Fitting in

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    The largest square which fits into a circle is ABCD and EFGH is a square with G and H on the line CD and E and F on the circumference of the circle. Show that AB = 5EF. Similarly the largest equilateral triangle which fits into a circle is LMN and PQR is an equilateral triangle with P and Q on the line LM and R on the circumference of the circle. Show that LM = 3PQ
  • Reach for Polydron
    problem

    Reach for polydron

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    A tetrahedron has two identical equilateral triangles faces, of side length 1 unit. The other two faces are right angled isosceles triangles. Find the exact volume of the tetrahedron.
  • Square World
    problem

    Square world

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    P is a point inside a square ABCD such that PA= 1, PB = 2 and PC = 3. How big is angle APB ?
  • 30-60-90 Polypuzzle
    problem

    30-60-90 polypuzzle

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Re-arrange the pieces of the puzzle to form a rectangle and then to form an equilateral triangle. Calculate the angles and lengths.
  • Retracircles
    problem

    Retracircles

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Four circles all touch each other and a circumscribing circle. Find the ratios of the radii and prove that joining 3 centres gives a 3-4-5 triangle.
  • Star Gazing
    problem

    Star gazing

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Find the ratio of the outer shaded area to the inner area for a six pointed star and an eight pointed star.
  • Weighty Problem
    problem

    Weighty problem

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    The diagram shows a very heavy kitchen cabinet. It cannot be lifted but it can be pivoted around a corner. The task is to move it, without sliding, in a series of turns about the corners so that it is facing the other way round.
  • Hex
    problem

    Hex

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Explain how the thirteen pieces making up the regular hexagon shown in the diagram can be re-assembled to form three smaller regular hexagons congruent to each other.