Explaining, convincing and proving

  • Seven Squares - Group-worthy Task
    problem

    Seven squares - group-worthy task

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Choose a couple of the sequences. Try to picture how to make the next, and the next, and the next... Can you describe your reasoning?
  • Coordinate Patterns
    problem

    Coordinate patterns

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Charlie and Alison have been drawing patterns on coordinate grids. Can you picture where the patterns lead?

  • Subtended angles
    problem

    Subtended angles

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    What is the relationship between the angle at the centre and the angles at the circumference, for angles which stand on the same arc? Can you prove it?

  • Squares in rectangles
    problem

    Squares in rectangles

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    A 2 by 3 rectangle contains 8 squares and a 3 by 4 rectangle contains 20 squares. What sizes of rectangle contain exactly 100 squares? Can you find them all?

  • Triangle Numbers
    problem

    Triangle numbers

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Take a look at the multiplication square. The first eleven triangle numbers have been identified. Can you see a pattern? Does the pattern continue?

  • All in a jumble
    problem

    All in a jumble

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    My measurements have got all jumbled up! Swap them around and see if you can find a combination where every measurement is valid.

  • Power mad!
    problem

    Power mad!

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Powers of numbers behave in surprising ways. Take a look at some of these and try to explain why they are true.

  • The Tower of Hanoi - three wooden poles, with several coloured rings of decreasing sizes on the middle pole.
    problem

    Tower of Hanoi

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    The Tower of Hanoi is an ancient mathematical challenge. Working on the building blocks may help you to explain the patterns you notice.

  • Fill Me Up
    problem

    Fill me up

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    Can you sketch graphs to show how the height of water changes in different containers as they are filled?