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Adding All Nine

Make a set of numbers that use all the digits from 1 to 9, once and once only. Add them up. The result is divisible by 9. Add each of the digits in the new number. What is their sum? Now try some other possibilities for yourself!

Counting Factors

Is there an efficient way to work out how many factors a large number has?

Summing Consecutive Numbers

15 = 7 + 8 and 10 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4. Can you say which numbers can be expressed as the sum of two or more consecutive integers?

Have You Got It?

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level

Have You Got It? printable sheet


Have You Got It? is an adding game for two players. You can play against the computer or with a friend. It is a version of a well known game called Nim.

Start with a target of 23.

The first player chooses a whole number from 1 to 4.

Players take turns to add a whole number from 1 to 4 to the running total.

The player who hits the target of 1 to 4 wins the game.

Play the game several times.
Can you find a winning strategy?
Can you always win?

Does your strategy depend on whether or not you go first?
 

Tablet/Full Screen Version

 

 


To change the game, choose a new target or a new range of numbers to add.

Test out the strategy you found earlier. Does it need adapting?

Can you work out a winning strategy for any target?
Can you work out a winning strategy for any range of numbers?

Is it best to start the game? Always?



Extension:

Consider playing the game where a player CANNOT add the same number as that used previously by their opponent.


Click here for a poster of this problem.