Reasoning, convincing and proving

  • Rhombus in Rectangle
    problem

    Rhombus in rectangle

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Take any rectangle ABCD such that AB > BC. The point P is on AB and Q is on CD. Show that there is exactly one position of P and Q such that APCQ is a rhombus.
  • Look before you leap
    problem

    Look before you leap

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Relate these algebraic expressions to geometrical diagrams.
  • Little and Large
    problem

    Little and large

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    A point moves around inside a rectangle. What are the least and the greatest values of the sum of the squares of the distances from the vertices?
  • Why 24?
    problem

    Why 24?

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Take any prime number greater than 3 , square it and subtract one. Working on the building blocks will help you to explain what is special about your results.
  • Folding Squares
    problem

    Folding squares

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    The diagonal of a square intersects the line joining one of the unused corners to the midpoint of the opposite side. What do you notice about the line segments produced?
  • Angle Trisection
    problem

    Angle trisection

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    It is impossible to trisect an angle using only ruler and compasses but it can be done using a carpenter's square.

  • Three Balls
    problem

    Three balls

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    A circle has centre O and angle POR = angle QOR. Construct tangents at P and Q meeting at T. Draw a circle with diameter OT. Do P and Q lie inside, or on, or outside this circle?
  • Middle Man
    problem

    Middle man

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Mark a point P inside a closed curve. Is it always possible to find two points that lie on the curve, such that P is the mid point of the line joining these two points?
  • Cyclic Quad Jigsaw
    problem

    Cyclic quad jigsaw

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    A picture is made by joining five small quadrilaterals together to make a large quadrilateral. Is it possible to draw a similar picture if all the small quadrilaterals are cyclic?
  • Zig Zag
    problem

    Zig zag

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Four identical right angled triangles are drawn on the sides of a square. Two face out, two face in. Why do the four vertices marked with dots lie on one line?