Pythagoras' theorem

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Classic cube
    problem

    Classic Cube

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    The net of a cube is to be cut from a sheet of card 100 cm square. What is the maximum volume cube that can be made from a single piece of card?
  • Golden Construction
    problem

    Golden Construction

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Draw a square and an arc of a circle and construct the Golden rectangle. Find the value of the Golden Ratio.
  • Some(?) of the Parts
    problem

    Some(?) of the Parts

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    A circle touches the lines OA, OB and AB where OA and OB are perpendicular. Show that the diameter of the circle is equal to the perimeter of the triangle
  • Get Cross
    problem

    Get Cross

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    A white cross is placed symmetrically in a red disc with the central square of side length sqrt 2 and the arms of the cross of length 1 unit. What is the area of the disc still showing?
  • Floored
    problem

    Floored

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    A floor is covered by a tessellation of equilateral triangles, each having three equal arcs inside it. What proportion of the area of the tessellation is shaded?
  • Three four five
    problem

    Three Four Five

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Two semi-circles (each of radius 1/2) touch each other, and a semi-circle of radius 1 touches both of them. Find the radius of the circle which touches all three semi-circles.
  • Holly
    problem

    Holly

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    The ten arcs forming the edges of the "holly leaf" are all arcs of circles of radius 1 cm. Find the length of the perimeter of the holly leaf and the area of its surface.
  • The medieval octagon
    problem

    The Medieval Octagon

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Medieval stonemasons used a method to construct octagons using ruler and compasses... Is the octagon regular? Proof please.