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

Pool Shot

Age 16 to 18
ShortChallenge Level Yellow starYellow star
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
  • Solutions
We assume that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection and there is a point ball and point holes.

1) $\alpha$ could be equal to $\frac{\pi}{2}, tan^{-1}(\frac{a}{2b}), tan^{-1}(\frac{a}{3b}), tan^{-1}(\frac{a}{4b})$.

2) The suitable values of $\alpha$ could be $\frac{\pi}{2},  tan^{-1}(\frac{a}{2b}),  tan^{-1}(\frac{a}{4b}),  tan^{-1}(\frac{a}{8b})$.

You can check these angles by drawing diagrams. Actually there is an infinite number of possible angles.

3) In this situation we need to be careful that the ball will not go through any other hole before it goes through required one.

For the 2) case possible answers are the same.
For the 1) case use symmetry to help to understand what happens. We can add a number of pool tables like blocks and imagine that the ball is moving in a straight line. If the trajectory line goes through any point A, B, C, D, E, F  it means that the ball stops at this point because it will be in the hole.
 
Suppose that the ball is moving along a line such that $\tan(\alpha) = \frac{ma}{2nb}$ where $m$ and $n$ are natural numbers. We see from the picture that $m$ and $2n$ must be even numbers in order for the ball to get back to a point A. Write $m = 2k$ and $2n$ is already even. $$\tan(\alpha) = \frac{2ka}{2nb} = \frac{ka}{nb}$$ Thus, we will go through the point (bn, ka). If $n$ and $k$ are both even then simplify again until you get that one of them is odd.

This means that the ball can't be hit in such a way that it will go back to the same position.

You may also like

Whoosh

A ball whooshes down a slide and hits another ball which flies off the slide horizontally as a projectile. How far does it go?

Cannon Balls

How high will a ball taking a million seconds to fall travel?

Comet Catastrophe

What would happen if a comet hit the earth?

  • 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