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This article shows how abstract thinking and a little number theory throw light on the scoring in the game Go.
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!
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.
Advent Calendar 2010 - a mathematical game for every day during the run-up to Christmas.
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?
This is a simple version of an ancient game played all over the world. It is also called Mancala. What tactics will increase your chances of winning?
A game for 2 people. Take turns to move the counters 1, 2 or 3 spaces. The player to remove the last counter off the board wins.
Can you identify the mathematicians?
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.
Here is a solitaire type environment for you to experiment with. Which targets can you reach?
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.
A game for 2 people. Take turns joining two dots, until your opponent is unable to move.
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.
Slide the pieces to move Khun Phaen past all the guards into the position on the right from which he can escape to freedom.
A Sudoku with a twist.
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.
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.
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. . . .
A Sudoku with clues as ratios.
A game to make and play based on the number line.
A Sudoku with clues given as sums of entries.
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 simple game of patience which often comes out. Can you explain why?
A game in which players take it in turns to choose a number. Can you block your opponent?
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.
Follow-up to the February Game Rules of FEMTO.
This article invites you to get familiar with a strategic game called "sprouts". The game is simple enough for younger children to understand, and has also provided experienced mathematicians with. . . .
A maths-based Football World Cup simulation for teachers and students to use.
An article for teachers and pupils that encourages you to look at the mathematical properties of similar games.
This pair of linked Sudokus matches letters with numbers and hides a seasonal greeting. Can you find it?
Practise your diamond mining skills and your x,y coordination in this homage to Pacman.
Here is a machine with four coloured lights. Can you develop a strategy to work out the rules controlling each light?
Use the tangram pieces to make our pictures, or to design some of your own!
Who said that adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing couldn't be fun?
This sudoku requires you to have "double vision" - two Sudoku's for the price of one
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.
A game in which players take it in turns to turn up two cards. If they can draw a triangle which satisfies both properties they win the pair of cards. And a few challenging questions to follow...
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?
There are nasty versions of this dice game but we'll start with the nice ones...
Two sudokus in one. Challenge yourself to make the necessary connections.
Collect as many diamonds as you can by drawing three straight lines.
Can you spot the similarities between this game and other games you know? The aim is to choose 3 numbers that total 15.
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. . . .
Why not challenge a friend to play this transformation game?
A game that tests your understanding of remainders.
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.
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.
A game for 1 person to play on screen. Practise your number bonds whilst improving your memory