Topology

  • The Bridges of Konigsberg
    problem

    The bridges of Konigsberg

    Age
    11 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    Investigate how networks can be used to solve a problem for the 18th Century inhabitants of Konigsberg.

  • Königsberg
    problem

    Königsberg

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    Can you cross each of the seven bridges that join the north and south of the river to the two islands, once and once only, without retracing your steps?

  • Colouring curves game
    game

    Colouring curves game

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    In this game, try not to colour two adjacent regions the same colour. Can you work out a strategy?
  • Icosian Game
    problem

    Icosian game

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    This problem is about investigating whether it is possible to start at one vertex of a platonic solid and visit every other vertex once only returning to the vertex you started at.

  • Tourism
    problem

    Tourism

    Age
    11 to 16
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star empty star

    If you can copy a network without lifting your pen off the paper and without drawing any line twice, then it is traversable. Decide which of these diagrams are traversable.

  • Paintbrush and different coloured watercolour paint blocks.
    problem

    Painting by numbers

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    How many different colours of paint would be needed to paint these pictures by numbers?

  • Torus patterns
    problem

    Torus patterns

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    filled star filled star filled star
    How many different colours would be needed to colour these different patterns on a torus?