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For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Pair Squares

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow star
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
  • Student Solutions

You can choose any square numbers to start with but you'll find that only certain combinations of odd and even numbers will work. You'll need to solve three simultaneous linear equations in three unknowns to find formulae for the three integers in terms of the three square numbers that you started with.

For the second part you'll need a number which can be written as the sum of two squares in at least three different ways. You could use this example:

$1^2 + 132^2 = 28^2 + 129^2 = 36^2 + 127^2 = 55^2 + 120^2 = 63^2 + 116^2 = 80^2 + 105^2 = 17425$


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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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