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Escalator

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
  • Problem
  • Student Solutions

At Holborn underground station there is a very long escalator. Two people are in a hurry and so climb the escalator as it is moving upwards, thus adding their speed to that of the moving steps.

The taller of the two people climbs three times as quickly as the smaller person. He has counted the steps that he has taken in getting to the ticket barrier at the top; he took 75 steps.

The smaller person takes 50 steps on the escalator before getting to the top and the ticket barrier.

How many steps are there on the escalator that is used?

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Scratch Cards

To win on a scratch card you have to uncover three numbers that add up to more than fifteen. What is the probability of winning a prize?

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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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