Filter by: Content type: ALL Problems Articles Games Stage: All Stage 1&2 Stage 2&3 Stage 3&4 Stage 4&5 Challenge level:
Delight your friends with this cunning trick! Can you explain how it works?
Try entering different sets of numbers in the number pyramids. How does the total at the top change?
Can you explain how this card trick works?
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.
Do you notice anything about the solutions when you add and/or subtract consecutive negative numbers?
Four bags contain a large number of 1s, 3s, 5s and 7s. Pick any ten numbers from the bags above so that their total is 37.
For this challenge, you'll need to play Got It! Can you explain the strategy for winning this game with any target?
Can you find six numbers to go in the Daisy from which you can make all the numbers from 1 to a number bigger than 25?
How many solutions can you find to this sum? Each of the different letters stands for a different number.
Crosses can be drawn on number grids of various sizes. What do you notice when you add opposite ends?
The idea of this game is to add or subtract the two numbers on the dice and cover the result on the grid, trying to get a line of three. Are there some numbers that are good to aim for?
Different combinations of the weights available allow you to make different totals. Which totals can you make?
Is it possible to rearrange the numbers 1,2......12 around a clock face in such a way that every two numbers in adjacent positions differ by any of 3, 4 or 5 hours?
Arrange the numbers 1 to 16 into a 4 by 4 array. Choose a number. Cross out the numbers on the same row and column. Repeat this process. Add up you four numbers. Why do they always add up to 34?
In the following sum the letters A, B, C, D, E and F stand for six distinct digits. Find all the ways of replacing the letters with digits so that the arithmetic is correct.
Place the numbers from 1 to 9 in the squares below so that the difference between joined squares is odd. How many different ways can you do this?
Can you see why 2 by 2 could be 5? Can you predict what 2 by 10 will be?
Sweets are given out to party-goers in a particular way. Investigate the total number of sweets received by people sitting in different positions.
This addition sum uses all ten digits 0, 1, 2...9 exactly once. Find the sum and show that the one you give is the only possibility.
Replace each letter with a digit to make this addition correct.
Choose any three by three square of dates on a calendar page. Circle any number on the top row, put a line through the other numbers that are in the same row and column as your circled number. Repeat. . . .
This article suggests some ways of making sense of calculations involving positive and negative numbers.
Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.
Use the numbers in the box below to make the base of a top-heavy pyramid whose top number is 200.
This article gives you a few ideas for understanding the Got It! game and how you might find a winning strategy.
What are the missing numbers in the pyramids?
Three dice are placed in a row. Find a way to turn each one so that the three numbers on top of the dice total the same as the three numbers on the front of the dice. Can you find all the ways to. . . .
Try adding together the dates of all the days in one week. Now multiply the first date by 7 and add 21. Can you explain what happens?
In this game, you can add, subtract, multiply or divide the numbers on the dice. Which will you do so that you get to the end of the number line first?
In a square in which the houses are evenly spaced, numbers 3 and 10 are opposite each other. What is the smallest and what is the largest possible number of houses in the square?
Start by putting one million (1 000 000) into the display of your calculator. Can you reduce this to 7 using just the 7 key and add, subtract, multiply, divide and equals as many times as you like?
Can you make a cycle of pairs that add to make a square number using all the numbers in the box below, once and once only?
Find the sum of all three-digit numbers each of whose digits is odd.
This challenge extends the Plants investigation so now four or more children are involved.
Place the numbers 1 to 10 in the circles so that each number is the difference between the two numbers just below it.
Exactly 195 digits have been used to number the pages in a book. How many pages does the book have?
Can you follow the rule to decode the messages?
Using 3 rods of integer lengths, none longer than 10 units and not using any rod more than once, you can measure all the lengths in whole units from 1 to 10 units. How many ways can you do this?
Can you put the numbers 1 to 8 into the circles so that the four calculations are correct?
Put the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 into the squares so that the numbers on each circle add up to the same amount. Can you find the rule for giving another set of six numbers?
Can you be the first to complete a row of three?
The letters in the following addition sum represent the digits 1 ... 9. If A=3 and D=2, what number is represented by "CAYLEY"?
Find out about Magic Squares in this article written for students. Why are they magic?!
This article explains how to make your own magic square to mark a special occasion with the special date of your choice on the top line.
Make your own double-sided magic square. But can you complete both sides once you've made the pieces?
Starting with the number 180, take away 9 again and again, joining up the dots as you go. Watch out - don't join all the dots!
Imagine a pyramid which is built in square layers of small cubes. If we number the cubes from the top, starting with 1, can you picture which cubes are directly below this first cube?
There are nasty versions of this dice game but we'll start with the nice ones...
Use your addition and subtraction skills, combined with some strategic thinking, to beat your partner at this game.
An investigation involving adding and subtracting sets of consecutive numbers. Lots to find out, lots to explore.