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Golden Powers

Age 16 to 18
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
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You will probably need to experiment a little to try to form a conjecture for the form of the coefficients. You can then use induction to try to prove your conjecture.

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Gold Again

Without using a calculator, computer or tables find the exact values of cos36cos72 and also cos36 - cos72.

Pythagorean Golden Means

Show that the arithmetic mean, geometric mean and harmonic mean of a and b can be the lengths of the sides of a right-angles triangle if and only if a = bx^3, where x is the Golden Ratio.

Golden Triangle

Three triangles ABC, CBD and ABD (where D is a point on AC) are all isosceles. Find all the angles. Prove that the ratio of AB to BC is equal to the golden ratio.

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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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