The Maths Item of the Month is a monthly problem aimed at teachers and students of GCSE and A level Mathematics. The problems can be used for enrichment, problem solving or as a way to encourage mathematical thinking/proof.

Christmas Squares 

Santa’s elves are busy packing the sleigh. Bryony the elf is excited! She has just managed to pack eight different flat square parcels into a rectangle leaving only a 2cm-by-2cm hole in the middle. Can you work out the lengths of the sides of the other squares?  

Looking for more problems?

Check out past editions in our resources listing.