Rainbow Squares

Rainbow Squares

Rainbow Squares is a challenge inspired by Henri Picciotto. Each rainbow arc needs to be anchored at two integers that sum to a square. Here we have tried to find a solution for 1-10, but have failed because the last two numbers, 2 and 3, do not sum to a square. Is...
Minotaur Gores Pythagoras

Minotaur Gores Pythagoras

Minotaur Gores Pythagoras (MathPickle, 2011) Give your students practice working with Pythagoras. One of MathPickle’s best classroom puzzles. In the newest version Theseus always starts in the upper left and the minotaur is always lurking in the lower left. If...
Full Integer Collatz

Full Integer Collatz

Full Integer Collatz (MathPickle, 2012)   Students can play with variations of the famous 1937 Collatz conjecture. Here we look at two. Students can also come up with their own Collatz-like conjectures. Brian Kehrig, a 15 year old student asked about the...
Parable of the Polygons

Parable of the Polygons

Parable of the Polygons (Vi Hart & Nicky Case)   A simulation that shows how small changes in attitude can result in large societal shifts. Probability and statistics has rarely looked so beautiful and engaging. Beauty is the first test: there is no permanent...
Pirates & Cutthroats – algebra

Pirates & Cutthroats – algebra

Pirates & Cutthoats (MathPickle, 2013) Use algebra to help find solutions to putting pirates and cutthroats into jail. Sounds righteous, but its darn difficult when each cell has constraints for the fraction of pirates and cutthroats. Download puzzle-sheets here....