This resource contains a series of card tricks. Each trick is presented in two parts. In the first part enough detail is given so that the trick can be performed. A description of the desired effect is given followed by an explanation of the mechanics of the trick – actually what is done to ensure the trick works...

The third collection of magic tricks, from Paul Curzon and Peter McOwan, is entitled ‘magic meets mistakes, machines and medicine. The five card tricks contained make use of maths and computer science theory, and are used by real magicians.

Each trick includes magician’s instructions. The theory behind each...

This pack of worksheets, produced by the Spode Group, is designed to give students experience in problem solving during the early years of secondary school, and was written in response to publications encouraging the teaching mathematics through problem solving,...

The Study Plus handbook from the National Strategies is a general guide to Study Plus for school leaders, mathematics subject leaders and teachers of the Study Plus classes.

Section one covers the rationale behind...

In this Bowland assessment task, students determine how long it would take for the judges to see every act that auditioned for a talent show. Students are told the total number of acts to be seen and have to determine what other information is required to find a solution. They have to make sensible estimates where...

These resources, produced by The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM), have been designed to encourage distinctive ways of thinking and learning as part of the NCETM professional development package.

Analysing reasoning and...

In this Nuffield probability activity students play a bingo-style game. To maximize their chances of winning, students must decide which numbers are most likely to occur when three dice are thrown and the scores are added.

In this Bowland assessment task, students are required to use their knowledge of geometry to describe a pattern. They are presented with a pattern consisting of three hexagons made up of triangles and have to what is the same and what is different about each shape. Students are encouraged to consider lengths,...

Cre8ate maths provides these activities which investigate the tessellation of regular polygons and its application in construction. Initially students identify which regular polygons tessellate, providing the opportunity to discuss the interior angles of polygons and...

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), requires students to design a magnetic tool holder for a robot surgeon.

It is intended that students will:
• Appreciate the potential of...

This activity, from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), requires students to compete to make the strongest electromagnetic tool holder for a surgeon's robotic arm.

It is intended that students will be...

Torbury Festival is a set of interactive lessons around staging of a music festival. To overcome various challenges, from floods to escaped cattle to over-excited crowds storming the stage, students must apply their mathematical knowledge to real life situations. The problems are intended to promote discussion,...

This mathematical investigation from the National Strategies Study Plus collection starts with the idea of someone being locked up in a tower.

The context could to be adapted so that it will appeal to the students, for example built around spies, knights of old, or TV characters. The tower shape and number...

This lesson develops the concept of transformations. In particular students will:

• Describe in words the transformation that maps an object to a transformed image
• Given a geometric figure and a transformation, draw the transformed figure
• Describe transformations as algebraic functions...

In this DfE Standards Unit resource, students learn to recognise and visualise transformations of 2D shapes and translate, rotate, reflect and combine these transformations. Students unfamiliar with the terms ‘rotation’, ‘reflection’ and ‘translation’ will need some introduction to these. The session also assumes...