Reasoning, convincing and proving

  • Even So
    problem

    Even so

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Find some triples of whole numbers a, b and c such that a^2 + b^2 + c^2 is a multiple of 4. Is it necessarily the case that a, b and c must all be even? If so, can you explain why?
  • Tis Unique
    problem

    Tis unique

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    This addition sum uses all ten digits 0, 1, 2...9 exactly once. Find the sum and show that the one you give is the only possibility.
  • Pent
    problem

    Pent

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
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    The diagram shows a regular pentagon with sides of unit length. Find all the angles in the diagram. Prove that the quadrilateral shown in red is a rhombus.
  • Unit fractions
    problem

    Unit fractions

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Consider the equation 1/a + 1/b + 1/c = 1 where a, b and c are natural numbers and 0 < a < b < c. Prove that there is only one set of values which satisfy this equation.
  • Aba
    problem

    Aba

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    In the following sum the letters A, B, C, D, E and F stand for six distinct digits. Find all the ways of replacing the letters with digits so that the arithmetic is correct.
  • American Billions
    problem

    American billions

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Play the divisibility game to create numbers in which the first two digits make a number divisible by 2, the first three digits make a number divisible by 3...
  • Chocolate Maths
    problem

    Chocolate maths

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Pick the number of times a week that you eat chocolate. This number must be more than one but less than ten. Multiply this number by 2. Add 5 (for Sunday). Multiply by 50... Can you explain why it works?
  • Iff
    problem

    Iff

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Take a triangular number, multiply it by 8 and add 1. What is special about your answer? Can you prove it?
  • Parabella
    problem

    Parabella

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    This is a beautiful result involving a parabola and parallels.

  • AMGM
    problem

    AMGM

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Can you use the diagram to prove the AM-GM inequality?