Filter by: Content type: ALL Problems Articles Games Stage: All Stage 1&2 Stage 2&3 Stage 3&4 Stage 4&5 Challenge level:
How have the numbers been placed in this Carroll diagram? Which labels would you put on each row and column?
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?
If you have only four weights, where could you place them in order to balance this equaliser?
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?
Can you put the numbers 1 to 8 into the circles so that the four calculations are correct?
This problem is based on a code using two different prime numbers less than 10. You'll need to multiply them together and shift the alphabet forwards by the result. Can you decipher the code?
There are nasty versions of this dice game but we'll start with the nice ones...
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!
Place this "worm" on the 100 square and find the total of the four squares it covers. Keeping its head in the same place, what other totals can you make?
Choose a symbol to put into the number sentence.
Place the numbers 1 to 10 in the circles so that each number is the difference between the two numbers just below it.
Can you each work out the number on your card? What do you notice? How could you sort the cards?
A game for 2 people using a pack of cards Turn over 2 cards and try to make an odd number or a multiple of 3.
Can you see why 2 by 2 could be 5? Can you predict what 2 by 10 will be?
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?
Use your addition and subtraction skills, combined with some strategic thinking, to beat your partner at this game.
A game for 2 people. Use your skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to blast the asteroids.
Find the sum of all three-digit numbers each of whose digits is odd.
Katie had a pack of 20 cards numbered from 1 to 20. She arranged the cards into 6 unequal piles where each pile added to the same total. What was the total and how could this be done?
Have a go at this game which involves throwing two dice and adding their totals. Where should you place your counters to be more likely to win?
Ten cards are put into five envelopes so that there are two cards in each envelope. The sum of the numbers inside it is written on each envelope. What numbers could be inside the envelopes?
Can you draw a continuous line through 16 numbers on this grid so that the total of the numbers you pass through is as high as possible?
Can you substitute numbers for the letters in these sums?
A game for 2 players. Practises subtraction or other maths operations knowledge.
There are 44 people coming to a dinner party. There are 15 square tables that seat 4 people. Find a way to seat the 44 people using all 15 tables, with no empty places.
There are 78 prisoners in a square cell block of twelve cells. The clever prison warder arranged them so there were 25 along each wall of the prison block. How did he do it?
Exactly 195 digits have been used to number the pages in a book. How many pages does the book have?
A group of children are using measuring cylinders but they lose the labels. Can you help relabel them?
Put operations signs between the numbers 3 4 5 6 to make the highest possible number and lowest possible number.
Using the statements, can you work out how many of each type of rabbit there are in these pens?
Three children are going to buy some plants for their birthdays. They will plant them within circular paths. How could they do this?
Look carefully at the numbers. What do you notice? Can you make another square using the numbers 1 to 16, that displays the same properties?
Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.
What do the digits in the number fifteen add up to? How many other numbers have digits with the same total but no zeros?
What do you notice about the date 03.06.09? Or 08.01.09? This challenge invites you to investigate some interesting dates yourself.
Write the numbers up to 64 in an interesting way so that the shape they make at the end is interesting, different, more exciting ... than just a square.
A game for 2 or more players with a pack of cards. Practise your skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to hit the target score.
How could you put eight beanbags in the hoops so that there are four in the blue hoop, five in the red and six in the yellow? Can you find all the ways of doing this?
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?
Can you put plus signs in so this is true? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 = 99 How many ways can you do it?
Tim had nine cards each with a different number from 1 to 9 on it. How could he have put them into three piles so that the total in each pile was 15?
This problem is based on the story of the Pied Piper of Hamelin. Investigate the different numbers of people and rats there could have been if you know how many legs there are altogether!
This magic square has operations written in it, to make it into a maze. Start wherever you like, go through every cell and go out a total of 15!
Can you arrange 5 different digits (from 0 - 9) in the cross in the way described?
Can you use the information to find out which cards I have used?
Choose four different digits from 1-9 and put one in each box so that the resulting four two-digit numbers add to a total of 100.
Suppose there is a train with 24 carriages which are going to be put together to make up some new trains. Can you find all the ways that this can be done?
These two group activities use mathematical reasoning - one is numerical, one geometric.
An investigation involving adding and subtracting sets of consecutive numbers. Lots to find out, lots to explore.
What happens when you add three numbers together? Will your answer be odd or even? How do you know?