Reasoning, convincing and proving

  • Pythagorean Fibs
    problem

    Pythagorean fibs

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    What have Fibonacci numbers got to do with Pythagorean triples?
  • Fibonacci Fashion
    problem

    Fibonacci fashion

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    What have Fibonacci numbers to do with solutions of the quadratic equation x^2 - x - 1 = 0 ?
  • Diagonal Sums
    problem

    Diagonal sums

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
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    In this 100 square, look at the green square which contains the numbers 2, 3, 12 and 13. What is the sum of the numbers that are diagonally opposite each other? What do you notice?

  • More Numbers in the Ring
    problem

    More numbers in the ring

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
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    If there are 3 squares in the ring, can you place three different numbers in them so that their differences are odd? Try with different numbers of squares around the ring. What do you notice?
  • Ring a Ring of Numbers
    problem

    Ring a ring of numbers

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
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    Choose four of the numbers from 1 to 9 to put in the squares so that the differences between joined squares are odd.

  • Triangles within Pentagons
    problem

    Triangles within pentagons

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Show that all pentagonal numbers are one third of a triangular number.
  • Triangles within Squares
    problem

    Triangles within squares

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Can you find a rule which relates triangular numbers to square numbers?
  • Triangles within Triangles
    problem

    Triangles within triangles

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Can you find a rule which connects consecutive triangular numbers?
  • Cuisenaire Counting
    problem

    Cuisenaire counting

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
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    Here are some rods that are different colours. How could I make a yellow rod using white and red rods?
  • Golden Eggs
    problem

    Golden eggs

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Find a connection between the shape of a special ellipse and an infinite string of nested square roots.