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?
Can you explain how this card trick works?
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.
Try entering different sets of numbers in the number pyramids. How does the total at the top change?
Crosses can be drawn on number grids of various sizes. What do you notice when you add opposite ends?
For this challenge, you'll need to play Got It! Can you explain the strategy for winning this game with any target?
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.
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?
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?
Do you notice anything about the solutions when you add and/or subtract consecutive negative numbers?
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?
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. . . .
How many solutions can you find to this sum? Each of the different letters stands for a different number.
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.
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?
This article suggests some ways of making sense of calculations involving positive and negative numbers.
Replace each letter with a digit to make this addition 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. . . .
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.
Different combinations of the weights available allow you to make different totals. Which totals can you make?
Use the numbers in the box below to make the base of a top-heavy pyramid whose top number is 200.
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.
Can you see why 2 by 2 could be 5? Can you predict what 2 by 10 will be?
Find the sum of all three-digit numbers each of whose digits is odd.
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?
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?
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?
Using some or all of the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and using the digits 3, 3, 8 and 8 each once and only once make an expression equal to 24.
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?
Find out about Magic Squares in this article written for students. Why are they magic?!
An investigation involving adding and subtracting sets of consecutive numbers. Lots to find out, lots to explore.
Annie cut this numbered cake into 3 pieces with 3 cuts so that the numbers on each piece added to the same total. Where were the cuts and what fraction of the whole cake was each piece?
Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.
An environment which simulates working with Cuisenaire rods.
Find out why these matrices are magic. Can you work out how they were made? Can you make your own Magic Matrix?
Sweets are given out to party-goers in a particular way. Investigate the total number of sweets received by people sitting in different positions.
If each of these three shapes has a value, can you find the totals of the combinations? Perhaps you can use the shapes to make the given totals?
Use your logical reasoning to work out how many cows and how many sheep there are in each field.
Find at least one way to put in some operation signs (+ - x ÷) to make these digits come to 100.
Mrs Morgan, the class's teacher, pinned numbers onto the backs of three children. Use the information to find out what the three numbers were.
Winifred Wytsh bought a box each of jelly babies, milk jelly bears, yellow jelly bees and jelly belly beans. In how many different ways could she make a jolly jelly feast with 32 legs?
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!
What is happening at each box in these machines?
There were chews for 2p, mini eggs for 3p, Chocko bars for 5p and lollypops for 7p in the sweet shop. What could each of the children buy with their money?
A lady has a steel rod and a wooden pole and she knows the length of each. How can she measure out an 8 unit piece of pole?
You have 5 darts and your target score is 44. How many different ways could you score 44?
Where can you draw a line on a clock face so that the numbers on both sides have the same total?
Can you substitute numbers for the letters in these sums?