Skip over navigation
Cambridge University Faculty of Mathematics NRich logo
menu search
  • Teachers expand_more
    • Early years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
    • Events
    • Professional development
  • Students expand_more
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Parents expand_more
    • Early Years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Problem-Solving Schools
  • About NRICH expand_more
    • About us
    • Impact stories
    • Support us
    • Our funders
    • Contact us
  • search

Or search by topic

Number and algebra

  • The Number System and Place Value
  • Calculations and Numerical Methods
  • Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion
  • Properties of Numbers
  • Patterns, Sequences and Structure
  • Algebraic expressions, equations and formulae
  • Coordinates, Functions and Graphs

Geometry and measure

  • Angles, Polygons, and Geometrical Proof
  • 3D Geometry, Shape and Space
  • Measuring and calculating with units
  • Transformations and constructions
  • Pythagoras and Trigonometry
  • Vectors and Matrices

Probability and statistics

  • Handling, Processing and Representing Data
  • Probability

Working mathematically

  • Thinking mathematically
  • Developing positive attitudes
  • Cross-curricular contexts

Advanced mathematics

  • Decision Mathematics and Combinatorics
  • Advanced Probability and Statistics
  • Mechanics
  • Calculus

For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Do Rare Events Happen?

Age 11 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
  • Problem
  • Student Solutions

Dylan from Colchester Royal Grammar School said 

I think this should happen to several families per year, because of the chances of people sharing a birthday.

So, the first baby to be born can have their birthday on any day of the year.

The second baby has a chance of $\frac{1}{365}$ of being born on the same day as the first.

Then, the chance of the third baby being born on the same day is $\frac{1}{365}$.

So, you have to multiply the fractions together to work out the chance of them all being born on the same day: 
1 x $\frac{1}{365}$ x$\frac{1}{365}$= $\frac{1}{133225}$. 

So, if there are a million families in the UK with 3 children then the chances are that roughly 7 or 8 of them have a shared birthday.


Zach also sent in his solution. 

He thought about what assumptions he was making. He also considered whether it would make a difference if you specified a date for all siblings to be born on. You can see his full solution here.


  • Tech help
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Twitter X logo

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.

University of Cambridge logo NRICH logo