{"id":5545,"date":"2019-10-15T15:39:22","date_gmt":"2019-10-15T15:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2019\/?page_id=5545"},"modified":"2019-10-15T15:39:22","modified_gmt":"2019-10-15T15:39:22","slug":"merrion-square-puzzles-and-solutions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/merrion-square-puzzles-and-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Merrion Square Puzzles and solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;margin-bottom: 0px;margin-top: 0px;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eaeaea;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\"><\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-one\" style=\"margin-top:0%;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:30px;margin-left:0px;\"><h1 class=\"title-heading-left fusion-responsive-typography-calculated\" style=\"margin:0;--fontSize:50;line-height:1.2;\">Merrion Square Puzzles and Solutions<\/h1><div class=\"title-sep-container\"><div class=\"title-sep sep-single sep-solid\" style=\"border-color:#eaeaea;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-section-separator section-separator clouds fusion-section-separator-1\"><div class=\"fusion-section-separator-svg\" style=\"padding:0;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;\"><svg class=\"fusion-clouds-candy\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100\" viewBox=\"0 0 100 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\" style=\"fill:#f2f2f2;padding:0;\"><path d=\"M-5 100 Q 0 20 5 100 Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M0 100 Q 5 0 10 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M5 100 Q 10 30 15 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M10 100 Q 15 10 20 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M15 100 Q 20 30 25 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M20 100 Q 25 -10 30 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M25 100 Q 30 10 35 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M30 100 Q 35 30 40 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M35 100 Q 40 10 45 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M40 100 Q 45 50 50 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M45 100 Q 50 20 55 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M50 100 Q 55 40 60 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M55 100 Q 60 60 65 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M60 100 Q 65 50 70 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M65 100 Q 70 20 75 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M70 100 Q 75 45 80 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M75 100 Q 80 30 85 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M80 100 Q 85 20 90 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M85 100 Q 90 50 95 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M90 100 Q 95 25 100 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M95 100 Q 100 15 105 100 Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"fusion-section-separator-spacer\"><div class=\"fusion-section-separator-spacer-height\" style=\"height:99px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-bottom:50px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-double\" style=\"border-color:#eaeaea;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-boxes content-boxes columns row fusion-columns-2 fusion-columns-total-2 fusion-content-boxes-1 content-boxes-icon-with-title content-left\" data-animationOffset=\"100%\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-content-boxes-1 .heading .content-box-heading {color:#191919;}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .heading .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .heading .heading-link .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .heading .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .heading .heading-link .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover:after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover:before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .icon .circle-no,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .heading .heading-link:hover .content-box-heading {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcolor: #e9a825;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .icon .circle-no {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcolor: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t}.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box.link-area-box-hover .fusion-content-box-button {background: #d6ad5a;color: #785510;background-image: -webkit-gradient( linear, left bottom, left top, from( #e8cb90 ), to( #d6ad5a ) );background-image: linear-gradient( to top, #e8cb90, #d6ad5a )}.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box.link-area-box-hover .fusion-content-box-button .fusion-button-text {color: #785510;}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .heading .icon > span {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tbackground-color: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-1 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .heading .icon > span {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tborder-color: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-column content-box-column content-box-column content-box-column-1 col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6 fusion-content-box-hover content-box-column-first-in-row\"><div class=\"col content-box-wrapper content-wrapper link-area-box icon-hover-animation-fade\" style=\"background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0);\" data-animationOffset=\"100%\"><div class=\"heading icon-left\"><h2 class=\"content-box-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px;line-height:28px;\">A Square Square?<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"content-container\" style=\"color:#707070;\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-1.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5549 size-400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-1-400x277.png\" alt=\"Merrion Sq01\" width=\"400\" height=\"277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-1-200x139.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-1-300x208.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-1-400x277.png 400w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-1-600x416.png 600w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-1.png 645w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Merrion Square is not actually a Square. It is almost twice as long as it is wide and the park is approximately 4.75 Hectares.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-2.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5550 size-200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-2-200x200.png\" alt=\"sq2\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-2-66x66.png 66w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-2-200x200.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-2.png 266w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The figure shows two actual squares. If the area of the small square is 2, what is the area of the large square?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Solution: 16<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This question can be done by trigonometry, but it can be solved in a simpler way by observing carefully and seeing where the symmetry is.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-3.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5551 size-200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-3-200x101.png\" alt=\"sq3\" width=\"200\" height=\"101\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-3-200x101.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-3.png 260w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It should be observed that the small triangles either side of the red square are half the area of the square. That is if we flipped one and slid them both they would occupy the same area at the red square. That means the area of the big triangle Is 4. There are four of these so overall area is 16.<\/p>\n<p>(by the way, we don\u2019t give specific units in the question)<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-column content-box-column content-box-column content-box-column-2 col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6 fusion-content-box-hover content-box-column-last content-box-column-last-in-row\"><div class=\"col content-box-wrapper content-wrapper link-area-box icon-hover-animation-fade\" style=\"background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0);\" data-animationOffset=\"100%\"><div class=\"heading icon-left\"><h2 class=\"content-box-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px;line-height:28px;\">Square Numbers<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"content-container\" style=\"color:#707070;\">\n<p>Building began on the Georgian houses on Merrion Square in 1762. The houses on Merrion Square North are numbered 1-31, Merrion Square East 35 \u2013 52, Merrion Square South 53 \u2013 87 and Merrion Square West 88 \u2013 97.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-4.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-5552 size-400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-4-400x300.png\" alt=\"Merrion Sq2\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-4-200x150.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-4-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-4-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-4-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-4-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-4-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-4.png 939w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>1) Which sides of the \u201csquare\u201d are longest North and South or East and West?<\/p>\n<p><strong>The North and South sides are almost twice as long as the East and West sides. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>2) How long ago (to the nearest 50 years) did they start building the houses on the square?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Around 250 years ago<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>3) To have a house on Merrion Square is special, but it is more special to have a house with a square number. Number 1 is a square number and houses the American College, the Irish Red Cross is number 16, another square number. How many square numbers are there in all around the Square?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Nine house numbers are square numbers: 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>4) How many houses on the Square do you think were demolished to build the National Maternity Hospital?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Three. The house numbers go up to 31 before the hospital and resume at 35 after the hospital. Therefore 32,33 and 34 are missing.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>5) In the Georgian houses are the windows on the street level as tall as the windows on the floor above? Why?<\/p>\n<p><strong>The houses generally had their biggest room running across the front on the first floor. This is where they might be in the evenings and for entertaining. There would be more light in the evenings on the first floor that the ground floor and tall windows allowed more light in. In addition it probably looked more impressive to have tall windows. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>While it is obvious from a distance, as from the park, that the first floor windows are taller than the street level windows, when one is on the footpath looking up it doesn\u2019t appear so obvious. <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>6) Along the footpath in front of the houses there are many round coalhole covers. Why was it an advantage to make them round?<\/p>\n<p><strong>One great advantage is that a round cover cannot fall into a round hole. 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.fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover:after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover:before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .icon .circle-no,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .heading .heading-link:hover .content-box-heading {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcolor: #e9a825;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .icon .circle-no {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcolor: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t}.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box.link-area-box-hover .fusion-content-box-button {background: #d6ad5a;color: #785510;background-image: -webkit-gradient( linear, left bottom, left top, from( #e8cb90 ), to( #d6ad5a ) );background-image: linear-gradient( to top, #e8cb90, #d6ad5a )}.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box.link-area-box-hover .fusion-content-box-button .fusion-button-text {color: #785510;}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .heading .icon > span {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tbackground-color: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .heading .icon > span {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tborder-color: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-column content-box-column content-box-column content-box-column-1 col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6 fusion-content-box-hover content-box-column-first-in-row\"><div class=\"col content-box-wrapper content-wrapper link-area-box icon-hover-animation-fade\" style=\"background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0);\" data-animationOffset=\"100%\"><div class=\"heading icon-left\"><h2 class=\"content-box-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px;line-height:28px;\">A Race took Place<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"content-container\" style=\"color:#707070;\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-5.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-400 wp-image-5561\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-5-400x300.png\" alt=\"Merrion Sq3\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-5-200x150.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-5-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-5-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-5-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-5-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-5-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-5.png 939w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A race took place on the road around Merrion Square. Anne, Bill, Ciara, Don and Eilis were running.<\/p>\n<p>Ciara finished ahead of Bill.<\/p>\n<p>Bill finished two places behind Anne<\/p>\n<p>Eilis finished two places behind Don<\/p>\n<p>Anne finished behind Ciara<\/p>\n<p>Ciara finished three places ahead of Eilis<\/p>\n<p>Can you figure out the order in which everyone finished?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Solution: 1. Ciara, 2. Don 3. Anne 4. Eilis 5. Bill<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-column content-box-column content-box-column content-box-column-2 col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6 fusion-content-box-hover content-box-column-last content-box-column-last-in-row\"><div class=\"col content-box-wrapper content-wrapper link-area-box icon-hover-animation-fade\" style=\"background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0);\" data-animationOffset=\"100%\"><div class=\"heading icon-left\"><h2 class=\"content-box-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px;line-height:28px;\">For the Birds<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"content-container\" style=\"color:#707070;\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-6.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-400 wp-image-5562\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-6-400x300.png\" alt=\"Merrion sq6\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-6-200x150.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-6-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-6-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-6-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-6-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-6-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-6.png 939w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>You meet a friend in the park who tells you she was enjoying watching the birds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat sort of birds did you see?\u201d You ask.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI saw pigeons, magpies and thrushes.\u201d She replied.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDid you see many?\u201d You enquired.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll of them were pigeons except for two, all of them were magpies except for two and all of them were thrushes except for two.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Can you figure out how many of each birds did she see?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Solution: One of each<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .heading-link:hover .icon i.circle-yes,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box:hover .heading-link .icon i.circle-yes,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .heading .icon i.circle-yes,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-2 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .heading .icon i.circle-yes {\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbackground-color: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tborder-color: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-section-separator section-separator clouds fusion-section-separator-3\"><div class=\"fusion-section-separator-svg\" style=\"padding:0;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;\"><svg class=\"fusion-clouds-candy\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100\" viewBox=\"0 0 100 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\" style=\"fill:#f2f2f2;padding:0;\"><path d=\"M-5 100 Q 0 20 5 100 Z\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M0 100 Q 5 0 10 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M5 100 Q 10 30 15 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M10 100 Q 15 10 20 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M15 100 Q 20 30 25 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M20 100 Q 25 -10 30 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M25 100 Q 30 10 35 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M30 100 Q 35 30 40 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M35 100 Q 40 10 45 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M40 100 Q 45 50 50 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M45 100 Q 50 20 55 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M50 100 Q 55 40 60 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M55 100 Q 60 60 65 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M60 100 Q 65 50 70 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M65 100 Q 70 20 75 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M70 100 Q 75 45 80 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M75 100 Q 80 30 85 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M80 100 Q 85 20 90 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M85 100 Q 90 50 95 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M90 100 Q 95 25 100 100\"><\/path>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M95 100 Q 100 15 105 100 Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"fusion-section-separator-spacer\"><div class=\"fusion-section-separator-spacer-height\" style=\"height:99px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-bottom:50px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-double\" style=\"border-color:#eaeaea;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-boxes content-boxes columns row fusion-columns-2 fusion-columns-total-2 fusion-content-boxes-3 content-boxes-icon-with-title content-left\" data-animationOffset=\"100%\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-content-boxes-3 .heading .content-box-heading {color:#191919;}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .heading .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .heading .heading-link .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .heading .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .heading .heading-link .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover:after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover:before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .icon .circle-no,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .heading .heading-link:hover .content-box-heading {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcolor: #e9a825;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .icon .circle-no {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcolor: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t}.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box.link-area-box-hover .fusion-content-box-button {background: #d6ad5a;color: #785510;background-image: -webkit-gradient( linear, left bottom, left top, from( #e8cb90 ), to( #d6ad5a ) );background-image: linear-gradient( to top, #e8cb90, #d6ad5a )}.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box.link-area-box-hover .fusion-content-box-button .fusion-button-text {color: #785510;}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .heading .icon > span {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tbackground-color: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .heading .icon > span {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tborder-color: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-column content-box-column content-box-column content-box-column-1 col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6 fusion-content-box-hover content-box-column-first-in-row\"><div class=\"col content-box-wrapper content-wrapper link-area-box icon-hover-animation-fade\" style=\"background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0);\" data-animationOffset=\"100%\"><div class=\"heading icon-left\"><h2 class=\"content-box-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px;line-height:28px;\">Shapes<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"content-container\" style=\"color:#707070;\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-7.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-400 wp-image-5566\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-7-400x300.png\" alt=\"Merrion SQ7\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-7-200x150.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-7-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-7-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-7-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-7-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-7-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-7.png 939w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Shapes and patterns are all around us. Regular shapes are usually man made.<\/p>\n<p>How many shapes and patterns can you spot walking around the Square?<\/p>\n<p>What shapes can you see in nature? Can you see patterns in trees and other plants? Why do you think that plants grow like this?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Solution: This is a question you have to find the answers for yourself. This is to encourage observation and investigation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-column content-box-column content-box-column content-box-column-2 col-lg-6 col-md-6 col-sm-6 fusion-content-box-hover content-box-column-last content-box-column-last-in-row\"><div class=\"col content-box-wrapper content-wrapper link-area-box icon-hover-animation-fade\" style=\"background-color:rgba(255,255,255,0);\" data-animationOffset=\"100%\"><div class=\"heading icon-left\"><h2 class=\"content-box-heading\" style=\"font-size:23px;line-height:28px;\">The magpie<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><div class=\"content-container\" style=\"color:#707070;\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-8.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-400 wp-image-5565\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-8-400x300.png\" alt=\"Merrion Sq8\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-8-200x150.png 200w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-8-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-8-400x300.png 400w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-8-600x450.png 600w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-8-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-8-800x600.png 800w, https:\/\/www.mathsweek.ie\/2025\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Picture-8.png 939w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The magpie is a very striking bird, well dressed in black and white. They are very plentiful in the park but at one time mustn\u2019t have been so plentiful as there was a folk rhyme about them. Of course we don\u2019t believe that seeing magpies can tell the future but it is a good rhyme. Can you learn the rhyme and count how many magpies you can see together?<\/p>\n<p><em>One for sorrow, Two for joy,<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Three for a girl, Four for a boy,<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Five for silver, Six for gold,<\/em><br \/>\n<em>Seven for a secret never to be told<\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Solution: This is a question you have to find the answers for yourself. This is to encourage observation and investigation. <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .heading-link:hover .icon i.circle-yes,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box:hover .heading-link .icon i.circle-yes,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .heading .icon i.circle-yes,\n\t\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-3 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .heading .icon i.circle-yes {\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbackground-color: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tborder-color: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-clearfix\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-one-full fusion-column-first fusion-column-last\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:20px;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-column-wrapper-legacy\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-bottom:50px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-double\" style=\"border-color:#eaeaea;border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-sep-clear\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-content-boxes content-boxes columns row fusion-columns-2 fusion-columns-total-2 fusion-content-boxes-4 content-boxes-icon-with-title content-left\" data-animationOffset=\"100%\" style=\"margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-content-boxes-4 .heading .content-box-heading {color:#191919;}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .heading .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .heading .heading-link .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .heading .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .heading .heading-link .content-box-heading,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover:after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover:before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .fusion-read-more:hover,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::after,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover.link-area-box .fusion-read-more::before,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-link-icon-hover .icon .circle-no,\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .heading .heading-link:hover .content-box-heading {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcolor: #e9a825;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\t.fusion-content-boxes-4 .fusion-content-box-hover .link-area-box-hover .icon .circle-no {\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcolor: #e9a825 !important;\n\t\t\t\t\t}.fusion-content-boxes-4 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