Sine, cosine, tangent

  • Squ-areas
    problem

    Squ-Areas

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    Three squares are drawn on the sides of a triangle ABC. Their areas are respectively 18 000, 20 000 and 26 000 square centimetres. If the outer vertices of the squares are joined, three more triangular areas are enclosed. What is the area of this convex hexagon?

  • Orbiting Billiard Balls
    problem

    Orbiting Billiard Balls

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    What angle is needed for a ball to do a circuit of the billiard table and then pass through its original position?

  • Stadium Sightline
    problem

    Stadium Sightline

    Age
    14 to 18
    Challenge level
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    How would you design the tiering of seats in a stadium so that all spectators have a good view?

  • Degree Ceremony
    problem

    Degree Ceremony

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Can you find the sum of the squared sine values?

  • Strange Rectangle 2
    problem

    Strange Rectangle 2

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Find the exact values of some trig. ratios from this rectangle in which a cyclic quadrilateral cuts off four right angled triangles.

  • Geometric Trig
    problem

    Geometric Trig

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Trigonometry, circles and triangles combine in this short challenge.

  • Trig reps
    problem

    Trig Reps

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Can you deduce the familiar properties of the sine and cosine functions starting from these three different mathematical representations?

  • Ball bearings in a metal wheel.
    problem

    Ball Bearings

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    If a is the radius of the axle, b the radius of each ball-bearing, and c the radius of the hub, why does the number of ball bearings n determine the ratio c/a? Find a formula for c/a in terms of n.

  • Gold Again
    problem

    Gold Again

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Without using a calculator, computer or tables find the exact values of cos36cos72 and also cos36 - cos72.

  • Making Waves
    problem

    Making Waves

    Age
    16 to 18
    Challenge level
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    Which is larger cos(sin x) or sin(cos x) ? Does this depend on x ?