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Start with any number of counters in any number of piles. 2 players take it in turns to remove any number of counters from a single pile. The winner is the player to take the last counter.
A game that tests your understanding of remainders.
Start with any number of counters in any number of piles. 2 players take it in turns to remove any number of counters from a single pile. The loser is the player who takes the last counter.
Here is a machine with four coloured lights. Can you develop a strategy to work out the rules controlling each light?
Given the products of diagonally opposite cells - can you complete this Sudoku?
A collection of games on the NIM theme
A game for 2 or more people, based on the traditional card game Rummy. Players aim to make two `tricks', where each trick has to consist of a picture of a shape, a name that describes that shape, and. . . .
This is an interactive net of a Rubik's cube. Twists of the 3D cube become mixes of the squares on the 2D net. Have a play and see how many scrambles you can undo!
Players take it in turns to choose a dot on the grid. The winner is the first to have four dots that can be joined to form a square.
To avoid losing think of another very well known game where the patterns of play are similar.
Match the cards of the same value.
Match pairs of cards so that they have equivalent ratios.
Can you be the first to complete a row of three?
Can you beat the computer in the challenging strategy game?
Can you beat Piggy in this simple dice game? Can you figure out Piggy's strategy, and is there a better one?
A game for two people, or play online. Given a target number, say 23, and a range of numbers to choose from, say 1-4, players take it in turns to add to the running total to hit their target.
The aim of the game is to slide the green square from the top right hand corner to the bottom left hand corner in the least number of moves.
Help the bee to build a stack of blocks far enough to save his friend trapped in the tower.
A game in which players take it in turns to choose a number. Can you block your opponent?
There are nasty versions of this dice game but we'll start with the nice ones...
Who said that adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing couldn't be fun?
Unmultiply is a game of quick estimation. You need to find two numbers that multiply together to something close to the given target - fast! 10 levels with a high scores table.
Follow-up to the February Game Rules of FEMTO.
An article for teachers and pupils that encourages you to look at the mathematical properties of similar games.
This article explains the use of the idea of connectedness in networks, in two different ways, to bring into focus the basics of the game of Go, namely capture and territory.
Advent Calendar 2010 - a mathematical game for every day during the run-up to Christmas.
A simple game of patience which often comes out. Can you explain why?
A simple game for 2 players invented by John Conway. It is played on a 3x3 square board with 9 counters that are black on one side and white on the other.
This is a game for two players. You will need some small-square grid paper, a die and two felt-tip pens or highlighters. Players take turns to roll the die, then move that number of squares in. . . .
A game for 2 players. Given an arrangement of matchsticks, players take it is turns to remove a matchstick, along with all of the matchsticks that touch it.
All you need for this game is a pack of cards. While you play the game, think about strategies that will increase your chances of winning.
Many natural systems appear to be in equilibrium until suddenly a critical point is reached, setting up a mudslide or an avalanche or an earthquake. In this project, students will use a simple. . . .
The computer starts with all the lights off, but then clicks 3, 4 or 5 times at random, leaving some lights on. Can you switch them off again?
We think this 3x3 version of the game is often harder than the 5x5 version. Do you agree? If so, why do you think that might be?
Collect as many diamonds as you can by drawing three straight lines.
Use the tangram pieces to make our pictures, or to design some of your own!
Two sudokus in one. Challenge yourself to make the necessary connections.
Four numbers on an intersection that need to be placed in the surrounding cells. That is all you need to know to solve this sudoku.
The game of go has a simple mechanism. This discussion of the principle of two eyes in go has shown that the game does not depend on equally clear-cut concepts.
A game to make and play based on the number line.
This pair of linked Sudokus matches letters with numbers and hides a seasonal greeting. Can you find it?
Here is a solitaire type environment for you to experiment with. Which targets can you reach?
A Sudoku with clues as ratios.
A game for 2 players. Can be played online. One player has 1 red counter, the other has 4 blue. The red counter needs to reach the other side, and the blue needs to trap the red.
Can you spot the similarities between this game and other games you know? The aim is to choose 3 numbers that total 15.
A Sudoku with a twist.
Basic strategy games are particularly suitable as starting points for investigations. Players instinctively try to discover a winning strategy, and usually the best way to do this is to analyse. . . .
Practise your diamond mining skills and your x,y coordination in this homage to Pacman.
Slide the pieces to move Khun Phaen past all the guards into the position on the right from which he can escape to freedom.