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How many squares fit in a rectangle? News

by David Shaw, 10 March 2022 | 0 comments

A rectangle of coloured squares diminishing in size

It might seem like a silly question to ask. After all, it depends on how big the rectangle is, and also the size of the squares you’re packing it with. With a big rectangle and small squares, you could fit a million, a billion or even more. But what if you have infinity squares? Is…

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Taping tarps brainteaser Brainteaser

by David Shaw, 29 May 2019 | 3 comments

Brain icon

Gerri has two identical square tarpaulins. Unfortunately, these tarps aren’t quite big enough to cover the brand new spa bath. So Gerri’s decided to cut the tarps and tape them together to make a bigger tarp. They want their final tarp to be a square, and they want it to be as big as possible.

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Big square, tiny envelope Activity

by David Shaw, 20 March 2017 | 0 comments

A square poking out from insidea rectangle.

Here’s a quick puzzle for you – this square is too wide for its envelope. Can you find a way to make it fit?

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Spirolaterals! Activity

by Jasmine Fellows, 4 November 2014 | 0 comments

Completed spirolateral

Written by Dennis Price In this activity, you’ll draw one long line that spirals and snakes around the page, known as a spirolateral. Start with a simple one, and then go on to invent your own spirolaterals!

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