Similarity and congruence

  • Sitting Pretty
    problem
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    Sitting Pretty

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    A circle of radius r touches two sides of a right angled triangle, sides x and y, and has its centre on the hypotenuse. Can you prove the formula linking x, y and r?

  • Triangle in a Triangle
    problem
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    Triangle in a Triangle

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Can you work out the fraction of the original triangle that is covered by the inner triangle?

  • Trapezium Four
    problem
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    Trapezium Four

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    The diagonals of a trapezium divide it into four parts. Can you create a trapezium where three of those parts are equal in area?

  • Nicely Similar
    problem
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    Nicely Similar

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    If the hypotenuse (base) length is 100cm and if an extra line splits the base into 36cm and 64cm parts, what were the side lengths for the original right-angled triangle?

  • The square under the hypotenuse
    problem
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    The Square Under the Hypotenuse

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Can you work out the side length of a square that just touches the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle?

  • Napkin
    problem
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    Napkin

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    A napkin is folded so that a corner coincides with the midpoint of an opposite edge. Investigate the three triangles formed.

  • Angle Trisection
    problem
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    Angle Trisection

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    It is impossible to trisect an angle using only ruler and compasses but it can be done using a carpenter's square.

  • Squirty
    problem
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    Squirty

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Using a ruler, pencil and compasses only, it is possible to construct a square inside any triangle so that all four vertices touch the sides of the triangle.

  • Partly Circles
    problem
    Favourite

    Partly Circles

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    What is the same and what is different about these circle questions? What connections can you make?

  • Fit for photocopying
    problem
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    Fit for Photocopying

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Explore the relationships between different paper sizes.