Filter by: Content type: ALL Problems Articles Games Stage: All Stage 1&2 Stage 2&3 Stage 3&4 Stage 4&5 Challenge level:
Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.
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.
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 see why 2 by 2 could be 5? Can you predict what 2 by 10 will be?
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?
An old game but lots of arithmetic!
Can you put the numbers 1 to 8 into the circles so that the four calculations are correct?
A game for 2 people. Use your skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to blast the asteroids.
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?
This challenge is a game for two players. Choose two numbers from the grid and multiply or divide, then mark your answer on the number line. Can you get four in a row before your partner?
Can you complete this jigsaw of the multiplication 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?
Use the information about Sally and her brother to find out how many children there are in the Brown family.
Choose a symbol to put into the number sentence.
Which is quicker, counting up to 30 in ones or counting up to 300 in tens? Why?
Put operations signs between the numbers 3 4 5 6 to make the highest possible number and lowest possible number.
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 multiplication uses each of the digits 0 - 9 once and once only. Using the information given, can you replace the stars in the calculation with figures?
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?
Can you work out the arrangement of the digits in the square so that the given products are correct? The numbers 1 - 9 may be used once and once only.
Here are the prices for 1st and 2nd class mail within the UK. You have an unlimited number of each of these stamps. Which stamps would you need to post a parcel weighing 825g?
Claire thinks she has the most sports cards in her album. "I have 12 pages with 2 cards on each page", says Claire. Ross counts his cards. "No! I have 3 cards on each of my pages and there are. . . .
What is happening at each box in these machines?
Use the information to work out how many gifts there are in each pile.
Can you work out what a ziffle is on the planet Zargon?
Where can you draw a line on a clock face so that the numbers on both sides have the same total?
On the planet Vuv there are two sorts of creatures. The Zios have 3 legs and the Zepts have 7 legs. The great planetary explorer Nico counted 52 legs. How many Zios and how many Zepts were there?
Find at least one way to put in some operation signs (+ - x ÷) to make these digits come to 100.
Look at what happens when you take a number, square it and subtract your answer. What kind of number do you get? Can you prove it?
Resources to support understanding of multiplication and division through playing with number.
Can you arrange 5 different digits (from 0 - 9) in the cross in the way described?
Use your logical-thinking skills to deduce how much Dan's crisps and ice-cream cost altogether.
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 each work out the number on your card? What do you notice? How could you sort the cards?
This number has 903 digits. What is the sum of all 903 digits?
Use your logical reasoning to work out how many cows and how many sheep there are in each field.
Amy has a box containing domino pieces but she does not think it is a complete set. She has 24 dominoes in her box and there are 125 spots on them altogether. Which of her domino pieces are missing?
A game that tests your understanding of remainders.
Find the next number in this pattern: 3, 7, 19, 55 ...
What do you notice about the date 03.06.09? Or 08.01.09? This challenge invites you to investigate some interesting dates yourself.
How would you count the number of fingers in these pictures?
This group activity will encourage you to share calculation strategies and to think about which strategy might be the most efficient.
This article for teachers describes how modelling number properties involving multiplication using an array of objects not only allows children to represent their thinking with concrete materials,. . . .
The Man is much smaller than us. Can you use the picture of him next to a mug to estimate his height and how much tea he drinks?
Tom and Ben visited Numberland. Use the maps to work out the number of points each of their routes scores.
Can you find which shapes you need to put into the grid to make the totals at the end of each row and the bottom of each column?
If the numbers 5, 7 and 4 go into this function machine, what numbers will come out?
Using the statements, can you work out how many of each type of rabbit there are in these pens?
Zumf makes spectacles for the residents of the planet Zargon, who have either 3 eyes or 4 eyes. How many lenses will Zumf need to make all the different orders for 9 families?
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.