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  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Regular Hexagon Loops

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
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A hexagon loop is a closed chain of hexagons that meet along a whole edge and in which each hexagon must touch exactly two others.


 

They do not need to be symmetrical or short:





Can you find any rules connecting the numbers of tiles, the inside perimeter and the outside perimeter?

You might want to start by exploring square loops or growing sequences like these:



If you haven't got a supply of regular hexagons you could work on these regular hexagon sheets


With thanks to Don Steward, whose ideas formed the basis of this problem.



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The well known Fibonacci sequence is 1 ,1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21.... How many Fibonacci sequences can you find containing the number 196 as one of the terms?

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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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