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 many solutions can you find to this sum? Each of the different letters stands for a different number.
Different combinations of the weights available allow you to make different totals. Which totals can you make?
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?
Do you notice anything about the solutions when you add and/or subtract consecutive negative numbers?
Try entering different sets of numbers in the number pyramids. How does the total at the top change?
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?
Find the values of the nine letters in the sum: FOOT + BALL = GAME
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.
The letters in the following addition sum represent the digits 1 ... 9. If A=3 and D=2, what number is represented by "CAYLEY"?
Can you explain how this card trick works?
Five numbers added together in pairs produce: 0, 2, 4, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15 What are the five numbers?
Delight your friends with this cunning trick! Can you explain how it works?
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?
Replace each letter with a digit to make this addition correct.
Make your own double-sided magic square. But can you complete both sides once you've made the pieces?
If you take a three by three square on a 1-10 addition square and multiply the diagonally opposite numbers together, what is the difference between these products. Why?
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.
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.
Crosses can be drawn on number grids of various sizes. What do you notice when you add opposite ends?
This challenge extends the Plants investigation so now four or more children are involved.
Use the numbers in the box below to make the base of a top-heavy pyramid whose top number is 200.
This challenging activity involves finding different ways to distribute fifteen items among four sets, when the sets must include three, four, five and six items.
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.
What are the missing numbers in the pyramids?
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. . . .
Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.
There are nasty versions of this dice game but we'll start with the nice ones...
Find the sum of all three-digit numbers each of whose digits is odd.
This Sudoku, based on differences. Using the one clue number can you find the solution?
Can you see why 2 by 2 could be 5? Can you predict what 2 by 10 will be?
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.
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. . . .
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?
This article suggests some ways of making sense of calculations involving positive and negative numbers.
This article gives you a few ideas for understanding the Got It! game and how you might find a winning strategy.
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?
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?
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?
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?
For this challenge, you'll need to play Got It! Can you explain the strategy for winning this game with any target?
Start with four numbers at the corners of a square and put the total of two corners in the middle of that side. Keep going... Can you estimate what the size of the last four numbers will be?
In this 100 square, look at the green square which contains the numbers 2, 3, 12 and 13. What is the sum of the numbers that are diagonally opposite each other? What do you notice?
Find at least one way to put in some operation signs (+ - x ÷) to make these digits come to 100.
Use the 'double-3 down' dominoes to make a square so that each side has eight dots.
Can you each work out the number on your card? What do you notice? How could you sort the cards?
The picture shows a lighthouse and many underwater creatures. If you know the markings on the lighthouse are 1m apart, can you work out the distances between some of the different creatures?
Fill in the missing numbers so that adding each pair of corner numbers gives you the number between them (in the box).
The Scot, John Napier, invented these strips about 400 years ago to help calculate multiplication and division. Can you work out how to use Napier's bones to find the answer to these multiplications?
How have the numbers been placed in this Carroll diagram? Which labels would you put on each row and column?
Skippy and Anna are locked in a room in a large castle. The key to that room, and all the other rooms, is a number. The numbers are locked away in a problem. Can you help them to get out?