Can you make a cycle of pairs that add to make a square number using all the numbers in the box below, once and once only?
This task, written for the National Young Mathematicians' Award 2016, involves open-topped boxes made with interlocking cubes. Explore the number of units of paint that are needed to cover the boxes. . . .
Find your way through the grid starting at 2 and following these operations. What number do you end on?
Place the numbers 1 to 10 in the circles so that each number is the difference between the two numbers just below it.
Can you put the numbers 1 to 8 into the circles so that the four calculations are correct?
Starting with the number 180, take away 9 again and again, joining up the dots as you go. Watch out - don't join all the dots!
Place the numbers 1 to 6 in the circles so that each number is the difference between the two numbers just below it.
Choose a symbol to put into the number sentence.
Can you see why 2 by 2 could be 5? Can you predict what 2 by 10 will be?
This challenging activity involves finding different ways to distribute fifteen items among four sets, when the sets must include three, four, five and six items.
Imagine a pyramid which is built in square layers of small cubes. If we number the cubes from the top, starting with 1, can you picture which cubes are directly below this first cube?
In your bank, you have three types of coins. The number of spots shows how much they are worth. Can you choose coins to exchange with the groups given to make the same total?
This problem is based on a code using two different prime numbers less than 10. You'll need to multiply them together and shift the alphabet forwards by the result. Can you decipher the code?
Use the information about Sally and her brother to find out how many children there are in the Brown family.
Make your own double-sided magic square. But can you complete both sides once you've made the pieces?
If you have only four weights, where could you place them in order to balance this equaliser?
Can you make a train the same length as Laura's but using three differently coloured rods? Is there only one way of doing it?
Place six toy ladybirds into the box so that there are two ladybirds in every column and every row.
Here you see the front and back views of a dodecahedron. Each vertex has been numbered so that the numbers around each pentagonal face add up to 65. Can you find all the missing numbers?
This challenge extends the Plants investigation so now four or more children are involved.
Can you hang weights in the right place to make the equaliser balance?
Start by putting one million (1 000 000) into the display of your calculator. Can you reduce this to 7 using just the 7 key and add, subtract, multiply, divide and equals as many times as you like?
If you hang two weights on one side of this balance, in how many different ways can you hang three weights on the other side for it to be balanced?
Place the numbers from 1 to 9 in the squares below so that the difference between joined squares is odd. How many different ways can you do this?
There are to be 6 homes built on a new development site. They could be semi-detached, detached or terraced houses. How many different combinations of these can you find?
Make one big triangle so the numbers that touch on the small triangles add to 10. You could use the interactivity to help you.
Choose four of the numbers from 1 to 9 to put in the squares so that the differences between joined squares are odd.
Can you put plus signs in so this is true? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 = 99 How many ways can you do it?
Zumf makes spectacles for the residents of the planet Zargon, who have either 3 eyes or 4 eyes. How many lenses will Zumf need to make all the different orders for 9 families?
This magic square has operations written in it, to make it into a maze. Start wherever you like, go through every cell and go out a total of 15!
Ahmed is making rods using different numbers of cubes. Which rod is twice the length of his first rod?
Katie had a pack of 20 cards numbered from 1 to 20. She arranged the cards into 6 unequal piles where each pile added to the same total. What was the total and how could this be done?
A game for 2 people. Use your skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to blast the asteroids.
Can you substitute numbers for the letters in these sums?
Move from the START to the FINISH by moving across or down to the next square. Can you find a route to make these totals?
How could you put eight beanbags in the hoops so that there are four in the blue hoop, five in the red and six in the yellow? Can you find all the ways of doing this?
Look carefully at the numbers. What do you notice? Can you make another square using the numbers 1 to 16, that displays the same properties?
What do you notice about the date 03.06.09? Or 08.01.09? This challenge invites you to investigate some interesting dates yourself.
This problem is based on the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Investigate the different numbers of people and rats there could have been if you know how many legs there are altogether!
Arrange eight of the numbers between 1 and 9 in the Polo Square below so that each side adds to the same total.
Throw the dice and decide whether to double or halve the number. Will you be the first to reach the target?
Write the numbers up to 64 in an interesting way so that the shape they make at the end is interesting, different, more exciting ... than just a square.
Who said that adding couldn't be fun?
How have the numbers been placed in this Carroll diagram? Which labels would you put on each row and column?
Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.
A group of children are using measuring cylinders but they lose the labels. Can you help relabel them?
We start with one yellow cube and build around it to make a 3x3x3 cube with red cubes. Then we build around that red cube with blue cubes and so on. How many cubes of each colour have we used?
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.
Ten cards are put into five envelopes so that there are two cards in each envelope. The sum of the numbers inside it is written on each envelope. What numbers could be inside the envelopes?
A game for 2 or more players. Practise your addition and subtraction with the aid of a game board and some dried peas!