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

Tantrix Discovery

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level Yellow star
  • Game

Tantrix Discovery

The tantaliser.
[Copyright Tantrix Games International. Reproduced with permission from Tantrix].

Here is a set of puzzles which call for lots of mathematical thinking if you are going to be any good at solving them.

The TANTRIX game and tiles were only invented ten years ago and the Discovery Puzzle itself was invented as recently as 1999. We are grateful to TANTRIX for allowing us to publish this version.

Can you make the following patterns:

1. Make a yellow loop or circle with tiles 1,2 and 3.

2. Now break up the tiles and make a new loop with tiles 1,2,3 and 4. Loops can be any shape but the ends must join.

3. Add tile 5, and make a new loop with tiles 1 to 5.

4. Continue as above up to all ten tiles. All other touching links must match up in colour too.

5. Up to 9 tiles there is only one colour from which you can make a loop from each set.

6. With ten tiles each colour has a seperate solution.

7. It is possible to combine two sets and go all the way up to 20!

You may also like

Line of Four

A game somewhat similar to 'noughts and crosses' on a much larger space.

Two Stones

This game is known as Pong hau k'i in China and Ou-moul-ko-no in Korea. Find a friend to play or try the interactive version online.

Sz'kwa

This Chinese game for two players is a simple version of Wei ch'i or Go. Each player has 20 distinctive pieces - try coins, pebbles, shells. You could try marking the board out in wet sand.

  • 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