You may also like

problem icon

Rotating Triangle


problem icon



problem icon



A Little Light Thinking

Stage: 4 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

This problem follows on from Charlie's Delightful Machine, so take a look at that first.

The rules for turning on the lights of Charlie's Delightful Machine are all given by linear sequences (like those found in Shifting Times Tables).

In the first problem, you found efficient strategies for working out the rules controlling each light.

Now try to make two lights light up at once.


Once you have made a pair of lights light up simultaneously, can you find another number that will light them both up? And another? And another? ...

Is there a connection between the rules that light up each individual light and the rule that lights up the pair?

Sometimes it's impossible to switch a pair of lights on simultaneously.

Now explore turning on three or even all four lights.

If you find an example where it's impossible to light them all up, try to explain why it's not possible.

If you find an example where it is possible to light them all up, work out what is special about the sequence of numbers that light up all four lights simultaneously.