Math Challenges - Keep It Simple!

Hi everyone,

It is Teresa here from Games 4 Learning!

I am really excited to be back here blogging on Who's Who and Who's New! 

This time I would like to share with you two of my favorite math challenges. 

Actually they are two of the favorites of my extension math group that I take each week! These are the ones that they beg for! 

The children love them because they are a great challenge and I love them because they are so easy to prepare! The first one is one that I can Can You Make It?

Can You Make It?

Need: 3 sets of small number cards with the digits from 0 – 9, 20 larger cards with 2 digit or 3 digit numbers (Choose 2 digit numbers or 3 digit numbers according to the ability of the players.)

Lay out the number cards face down on the table. Each player will need a pencil and paper.

Play this game with the 2 digit numbers to begin. If children are ready for a more advanced version, try playing with the 3 digit numbers.

One person chooses 6 of the small number cards and displays them for the others to see. They then choose one large card with a 2 digit or 3 digit number. 

Players are now given a set amount of time to create an equation that equals the 2 or 3 digit number. Players can only use the digits on the small number cards and can only use each of these digits once unless 2 or more of the same digit have been chosen.

It is as simple as that!

Here are a few of their attempts.

   

 

The next one is a game that I call 3 Rolls to Make 100!

3 Rolls to Make 100

This is a dice challenge that can be adapted to suit different ability levels!

Need: 2 dice, pencil and paper for each player

In this version, players attempt to create 3 numbers that will add to 100 or as close as possible to 100.

To Play: The teacher or a player rolls the dice and tells the two numbers that are rolled.

Players make a 2 digit number from these 2 numbers, e.g. roll 3 and 5 and students can record 35 or 53. Once the number is recorded, it can’t be changed.

Repeat twice so that players have recorded three 2 digit numbers.

Player add these three numbers together and the player who is closest to 100 is the winner.

Play several rounds.

Students use lots of different skills as they choose their numbers and add them. Sometimes working out who is closest to 100 creates a great discussion with more skills required to calculate this. 


Variations of 3 Rolls to Make 100

Addition Games
•5 Rolls to Make 200: Roll 2 dice three times to create three, 2 digit numbers. Add them together. Aim to get as close as possible to 200.

•3 Rolls to Make 1000: Roll 3 dice three times to create three, 3 digit numbers. Add them together. Aim to get as close as possible to 1000.

•2 Rolls to Make 7000: Roll 4 dice two times to create two, 4 digit numbers. Add them together and aim to get as close as possible to 7000.

Multiplication Games
•Roll 3 and Make 200: Roll 3 dice and arrange the numbers in a multiplication equation of 2 digits x 1 digit. Aim to get as close as possible to 200.

•2 Rolls to Make 1000: Roll 2 dice two times to create two, 2 digit numbers. Multiply them together and aim to get as close as possible to 1000.



Want more?



I have more math game ideas in 5 Fantastic Math Games available in my Teachers Pay Teachers store at https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Math-Games-1842203

And there are loads more great math game ideas at my blog at Fun Games 4 Learning!