Symmetry

  • Folium of Descartes
    problem
    Favourite

    Folium of Descartes

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Investigate the family of graphs given by the equation x^3+y^3=3axy for different values of the constant a.

  • Maltese Cross
    problem

    Maltese Cross

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3
    Sketch the graph of $xy(x^2 - y^2) = x^2 + y^2$ consisting of four curves and a single point at the origin. Convert to polar form. Describe the symmetries of the graph.
  • Hidden Meaning
    problem

    Hidden Meaning

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3
    What is the missing symbol? Can you decode this in a similar way?
  • Flower Power
    problem

    Flower Power

    Age
    11 to 16
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3
    Create a symmetrical fabric design based on a flower motif - and realise it in Logo.
  • Cocked Hat
    problem

    Cocked Hat

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3
    Sketch the graphs for this implicitly defined family of functions.
  • Holly
    problem

    Holly

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3
    The ten arcs forming the edges of the "holly leaf" are all arcs of circles of radius 1 cm. Find the length of the perimeter of the holly leaf and the area of its surface.
  • Rhombicubocts
    problem

    Rhombicubocts

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3
    Each of these solids is made up with 3 squares and a triangle around each vertex. Each has a total of 18 square faces and 8 faces that are equilateral triangles. How many faces, edges and vertices does each solid have?
  • Sliced
    problem

    Sliced

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3
    An irregular tetrahedron has two opposite sides the same length a and the line joining their midpoints is perpendicular to these two edges and is of length b. What is the volume of the tetrahedron?
  • Pitchfork
    problem

    Pitchfork

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3
    Plot the graph of x^y = y^x in the first quadrant and explain its properties.
  • Square pizza
    problem

    Square Pizza

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3
    Can you show that you can share a square pizza equally between two people by cutting it four times using vertical, horizontal and diagonal cuts through any point inside the square?