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For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Folding Squares

Age 14 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
  • Student Solutions
  • Teachers' Resources

Start with a square...


Fold to create a diagonal running from bottom left to top right.
Find the midpoint of the base by folding.
Fold the paper again, joining the top left corner to the midpoint of the base.
What fractions of the diagonal do you think your new fold has created?

Measure the two sections of the diagonal and compare their lengths.
What do you notice?
Is this what you expected?
 
Can you produce a convincing mathematical argument or proof that justifies what you have found?

You might like to try A Parallelogram Trisection and Folding Fractions next.
 

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Pareq Exists

Prove that, given any three parallel lines, an equilateral triangle always exists with one vertex on each of the three lines.

The Medieval Octagon

Medieval stonemasons used a method to construct octagons using ruler and compasses... Is the octagon regular? Proof please.

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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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