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'Totality' printed from https://nrich.maths.org/
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This is a game for two players.
You will need a copy of the game board and a counter.
Watch the video below (which has not got any sound). It shows two people playing the game.
Can you work out how to play the game?
What do you think the rules might be?
If you are unable to view the video, the rules of the game are hidden below.
Slide the shared counter across several adjacent numbers, adding them up as you go to make a 'running' total. Be the player to make the final slide so that the chosen target is reached exactly. Making the total go above the target loses you the game.
How to play:
1. Player 1 chooses a target to reach. This is the total both players try to make.
2. Player 2 places their counter on the game board over one of the numbers and says that number.
3. Player 1 moves the same counter in any direction along a line segment to a neighbouring number and announces the total of the two numbers.
4. Player 2 moves the same counter to cover a neighbouring number, adds on that number, and announces the 'running' total of the three numbers.
5. Players take it in turns to slide the counter to cover a neighbouring number and to add that number to the 'running' total.
6. Players must move when it is their turn.
7. No 'jumping' is allowed.
Have a go at playing the game several times.
Can you find any good ways to win? Please let us know your thoughts using the 'Submit a solution' link.