Squares

A square of area 3 square units cannot be drawn on a 2D grid so that each of its vertices have integer coordinates, but can it be drawn on a 3D grid? Investigate squares that can be drawn.

Players take it in turns to choose a dot on the grid. The winner is the first to have four dots that can be joined to form a square.

If you move the tiles around, can you make squares with different coloured edges?

It is obvious that we can fit four circles of diameter 1 unit in a square of side 2 without overlapping. What is the smallest square into which we can fit 3 circles of diameter 1 unit?

What shape has Harry drawn on this clock face? Can you find its area? What is the largest number of square tiles that could cover this area?

What is the total area of the four outside triangles which are outlined in red in this arrangement of squares inside each other?

Can you dissect a square into: 4, 7, 10, 13... other squares? 6, 9, 12, 15... other squares? 8, 11, 14... other squares?

Given that ABCD is a square, M is the mid point of AD and CP is perpendicular to MB with P on MB, prove DP = DC.

Just four procedures were used to produce a design. How was it done? Can you be systematic and elegant so that someone can follow your logic?

Look at how the pattern is built up - in that way you will know how to break the final pattern down into more manageable pieces.