Reasoning, convincing and proving

  • Big, Bigger, Biggest
    problem

    Big, bigger, biggest

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Which is the biggest and which the smallest of $2000^{2002}, 2001^{2001} \text{and } 2002^{2000}$?
  • A Biggy
    problem

    A biggy

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Find the smallest positive integer N such that N/2 is a perfect cube, N/3 is a perfect fifth power and N/5 is a perfect seventh power.
  • Fitting In
    problem

    Fitting in

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    The largest square which fits into a circle is ABCD and EFGH is a square with G and H on the line CD and E and F on the circumference of the circle. Show that AB = 5EF. Similarly the largest equilateral triangle which fits into a circle is LMN and PQR is an equilateral triangle with P and Q on the line LM and R on the circumference of the circle. Show that LM = 3PQ
  • Converse
    problem

    Converse

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Clearly if a, b and c are the lengths of the sides of an equilateral triangle then a^2 + b^2 + c^2 = ab + bc + ca. Is the converse true?
  • Three Ways
    problem

    Three ways

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    If x + y = -1 find the largest value of xy by coordinate geometry, by calculus and by algebra.
  • Common Divisor
    problem

    Common divisor

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Find the largest integer which divides every member of the following sequence: 1^5-1, 2^5-2, 3^5-3, ... n^5-n.
  • Long Short
    problem

    Long short

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star
    What can you say about the lengths of the sides of a quadrilateral whose vertices are on a unit circle?
  • Mod 3
    problem

    Mod 3

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Prove that if a^2+b^2 is a multiple of 3 then both a and b are multiples of 3.
  • Our Ages
    problem

    Our ages

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    I am exactly n times my daughter's age. In m years I shall be ... How old am I?
  • DOTS Division
    problem

    DOTS division

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star

    Take any pair of two digit numbers x=ab and y=cd where, without loss of generality, ab > cd . Form two 4 digit numbers r=abcd and s=cdab and calculate: {r^2 - s^2} /{x^2 - y^2}.