NRICH: Why 24?

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NRICH: Why 24?

Take any prime number greater than 3 , square it and subtract one. Working on the building blocks will help you to explain what is special about your results.

This problem is in two parts. The first part provides some building blocks which will help you to solve the final challenge. These can be attempted in any order. Of course, you are welcome to go straight to the Final Challenge without looking at the building blocks!

Click to reveal any of the questions below to get started.

Question A

Choose any whole number.
What happens when you multiply the numbers either side of it?
For example, if you choose 7, work out 6×8. Repeat several times.
Notice anything interesting? Convince yourself it always happens.

Question B

Write down three consecutive numbers, none of which is a multiple of 3. If you can’t, explain why.

Question C

Choose two factors of 120 which are coprime (they have a highest common factor of 1).
Multiply them together and record the result. Repeat several times.
Notice anything about your results?
Start with numbers other than 120. Does the same thing always happen? Convince yourself.

Question D

Choose any two consecutive even numbers.
Multiply them together and record the result. Repeat several times.
Notice anything interesting? Convince yourself it always happens.

 

FINAL CHALLENGE

Take any prime number greater than 3, square it and subtract one. Repeat several times.
Notice anything interesting? Convince yourself it always happens.

Age 14 to 16

 

 

NRICH (University of Cambridge)
Math Topics
Algebra & Pre-Algebra, Quadratic Equations
High School, Educator
9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade
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NRICH: Why 24?

Take any prime number greater than 3 , square it and subtract one. Working on the building blocks will help you to explain what is special about your results.

This problem is in two parts. The first part provides some building blocks which will help you to solve the final challenge. These can be attempted in any order. Of course, you are welcome to go straight to the Final Challenge without looking at the building blocks!

Click to reveal any of the questions below to get started.

Question A

Choose any whole number.
What happens when you multiply the numbers either side of it?
For example, if you choose 7, work out 6×8. Repeat several times.
Notice anything interesting? Convince yourself it always happens.

Question B

Write down three consecutive numbers, none of which is a multiple of 3. If you can’t, explain why.

Question C

Choose two factors of 120 which are coprime (they have a highest common factor of 1).
Multiply them together and record the result. Repeat several times.
Notice anything about your results?
Start with numbers other than 120. Does the same thing always happen? Convince yourself.

Question D

Choose any two consecutive even numbers.
Multiply them together and record the result. Repeat several times.
Notice anything interesting? Convince yourself it always happens.

 

FINAL CHALLENGE

Take any prime number greater than 3, square it and subtract one. Repeat several times.
Notice anything interesting? Convince yourself it always happens.

Age 14 to 16

 

 

NRICH (University of Cambridge)
Math Topics
Algebra & Pre-Algebra, Quadratic Equations
High School, Educator
9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade

What are you looking for?

Organization

NRICH (University of Cambridge)

Website URL

Type of Resource

Challenge

Assigned Categories