Working systematically

problem

Shunting Puzzle

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Can you shunt the trucks so that the Cattle truck and the Sheep truck change places and the Engine is back on the main line?
problem

Single Track

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

What is the best way to shunt these carriages so that each train can continue its journey?
problem

Make Pairs

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Put 10 counters in a row. Find a way to arrange the counters into five pairs, evenly spaced in a row, in just 5 moves, using the rules.
problem

Pouring the Punch Drink

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

There are 4 jugs which hold 9 litres, 7 litres, 4 litres and 2 litres. Find a way to pour 9 litres of drink from one jug to another until you are left with exactly 3 litres in three of the jugs.
problem

Calendar Cubes

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Make a pair of cubes that can be moved to show all the days of the month from the 1st to the 31st.
problem

Waiting for Blast Off

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

10 space travellers are waiting to board their spaceships. There are two rows of seats in the waiting room. Using the rules, where are they all sitting? Can you find all the possible ways?
problem

Wag Worms

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

When intergalactic Wag Worms are born they look just like a cube. Each year they grow another cube in any direction. Find all the shapes that five-year-old Wag Worms can be.
problem

A Bit of a Dicey Problem

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

When you throw two regular, six-faced dice you have more chance of getting one particular result than any other. What result would that be? Why is this?
problem

Seven Square Numbers

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Add the sum of the squares of four numbers between 10 and 20 to the sum of the squares of three numbers less than 6 to make the square of another, larger, number.
problem

Penta Primes

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Using all ten cards from 0 to 9, rearrange them to make five prime numbers. Can you find any other ways of doing it?