Asif is shopping for a new outfit for a special occasion. He needs a shirt, a pair of trousers and a pair of shoes. Once he has picked out the items he likes and checked the prices he realises that:

• if he doesn’t buy the shirt, he can get the other items for £115
• if he doesn’t buy the trousers, he can get the other items for £100
• if he doesn’t buy the shoes, he can get the other items for £75.

But, of course, he needs the shirt, the trousers and the shoes. So what will he have to pay for all of them?

It’s Maths Week Scotland 2018 and I’m delighted to launch the first of seven daily puzzles that I’ll be sharing this week. Here’s the first challenge.

Good luck!

Stepping Up

Three friends visit a museum and walk up a flight of stairs. Ross goes up one step at a time starting with his left foot on the first step. Elena goes up two steps at a time starting with her left foot on the second step and Tom starts with his left foot on the third step and goes up three steps at a time.

Investigate these questions and explain your answers:

(a) Which is the first step that all three will tread on?
(b) Which is the first step that all three will tread on with their right foot?
(c) Which is the first step that all three will tread on with their left foot?