This is part of our collection of favourite rich tasks arranged by topic.

If you are a teacher, you can find the whole collection on our Primary Curriculum teacher page.
Alternatively, if you are a student, you'll find the same problems on our Primary Curriculum student page.


  • Number Differences
    problem
    Favourite

    Number Differences

    Age
    5 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Place the numbers from 1 to 9 in the squares so that the difference between joined squares is odd.

  • Ordering cards
    problem
    Favourite

    Ordering Cards

    Age
    5 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    This problem is designed to help children to learn, and to use, the two and three times tables.

  • Doplication
    problem
    Favourite

    Doplication

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    We can arrange dots in a similar way to the 5 on a dice. What do you notice?

  • Buying a Balloon
    problem
    Favourite

    Buying a Balloon

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Lola bought a balloon at the circus using six coins. What could Lola have paid for the balloon?

  • Highest and Lowest
    problem
    Favourite

    Highest and Lowest

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Put operations signs between the numbers 3, 4, 5 and 6. What answers can you make?

  • Zios and Zepts
    problem
    Favourite

    Zias and Zepts

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Zias have 3 legs and Zepts have 7 legs. If there were 52 legs, how many of each were there?

  • problem
    Favourite

    Abundant Numbers

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Abundant numbers are less than the sum of their factors (excluding themselves). Can you find some?

  • Super Shapes
    problem
    Favourite

    Super Shapes

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Can you discover the value of the circle in each problem?

  • A Square of Numbers
    problem
    Favourite

    A Square of Numbers

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Can you put the numbers 1 to 8 into the circles so that the four calculations are correct?

  • The Deca Tree
    problem
    Favourite

    The Deca Tree

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    A Deca Tree has 10 trunks, and on each trunk are 10 branches, and on each branch are 10 twigs...

  • problem
    Favourite

    A Mixed-Up Clock

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Can you find out where all the numbers on this clock face are using the ten statements?

  • Carrying Cards
    problem
    Favourite

    Carrying Cards

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    These rows of children are holding cards with numbers on them. Can you work out the missing numbers?

  • A wooden noughts and crosses game, with three crosses in a diagonal row.
    problem
    Favourite

    First Connect Three

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Can you add or subtract the two numbers on the spinners to complete a row of three?

  • Tug Harder!
    problem
    Favourite

    More Tug of War

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    In this game, you can add, subtract, multiply or divide the numbers on the dice. Which will you choose?

  • Sea Level
    problem
    Favourite

    Sea Level

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    What numbers would you put on this number line as it goes under the sea level?

  • Magic Vs
    problem
    Favourite

    Magic Vs

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Can you put the numbers 1-5 in the V shape so that both 'arms' have the same total?

  • Theatre masks showing 'comedy' and 'tragedy'.
    problem
    Favourite

    Nice or Nasty

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Will you play the nice or the nasty version of this dice game?

  • Which symbol?
    problem
    Favourite

    Which Symbol?

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Choose a symbol to put into the number sentence.

  • How do you do it?
    problem
    Favourite

    How Do You Do It?

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    This group activity will encourage you to compare different calculation strategies.

  • Planning a School Trip
    problem
    Favourite

    Planning a School Trip

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Working in a group, use the cards to gather all the information you need to organise the school trip.

  • Follow the numbers
    problem
    Favourite

    Follow the Numbers

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    What happens when you add the digits of a number then multiply the result by 2?

  • Journeys in Numberland
    problem
    Favourite

    Journeys in Numberland

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Use the maps to work out the number of points each route through Numberland scores.

  • problem
    Favourite

    Fifteen Cards

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Can you use the information to find out which cards I have used?

  • A yellow bag containing some threes.
    problem
    Favourite

    Play to 37

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    In this game the winner is the first to make the total 37. Is this a fair game?

  • Roll these Dice
    problem
    Favourite

    Roll These Dice

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Roll three dice, then add two numbers and take away the other. What answers could you get?

  • problem
    Favourite

    Maze 100

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Can you go through this maze so that the numbers you pass add to exactly 100?

  • Domino Square
    problem
    Favourite

    Domino Square

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Use the 'double-3 down' dominoes to make a square so that each side has eight dots.

  • Make 100
    problem
    Favourite

    Make 100

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Find at least one way to put in some operation signs to make these digits come to 100.

  • Amy's Dominoes
    problem
    Favourite

    Amy's Dominoes

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Amy has a box of domino pieces. Which of her domino pieces are missing?

  • Twenty Divided into Six
    problem
    Favourite

    Twenty Divided Into Six

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Arrange cards numbered 1 to 20 into 6 piles. Can each pile add to the same total?

  • problem
    Favourite

    One Wasn't Square

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Can you work out which three numbers were pinned onto these children's backs?

  • problem
    Favourite

    Reach 100

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Can you use four digits to make four two-digit numbers that add to 100?

  • problem
    Favourite

    Two Primes Make One Square

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Can you make square numbers by adding two prime numbers together?

  • problem
    Favourite

    How Much Did It Cost?

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Use your logical thinking skills to deduce how much Dan's crisps and ice cream cost altogether.

  • problem
    Favourite

    Oh! Harry!

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    A group of children are using measuring cylinders but they lose the labels. Can you help relabel them?

  • problem
    Favourite

    This Pied Piper of Hamelin

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    How many people and rats could there be if you know how many legs there are altogether?

  • Build it up
    problem
    Favourite

    Build It Up

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Can you find all the ways to get 15 at the top of this triangle of added numbers?

  • Six Ten Total
    problem
    Favourite

    Six Ten Total

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    This challenge combines addition, multiplication, perseverance and even proof.

  • Six Numbered Cubes
    problem
    Favourite

    Six Numbered Cubes

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    This task combines spatial awareness with addition and multiplication.

  • Digit Addition
    problem
    Favourite

    Digit Addition

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Try out this number trick. What happens with different starting numbers? What do you notice?

  • 4 Dom
    problem
    Favourite

    4 Dom

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Use these four dominoes to make a square that has the same number of dots on each side.

  • A gold balloon of the number 4.
    problem
    Favourite

    Four Goodness' Sake

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
    3 out of 3

    Use 4 four times in a calculation. What answers can you get?

  • Dicey Operations
    game
    Favourite

    Dicey Operations

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    In these addition and subtraction games, you'll need to think strategically to get closest to the target.

  • Consecutive Numbers
    problem
    Favourite

    Consecutive Numbers

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    What can you discover about adding and subtracting sets of consecutive numbers?

  • Got It
    problem
    Favourite

    Got It

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    By choosing to add numbers from 1-4, can you hit the target number in this game?

  • Subtraction Surprise
    problem
    Favourite

    Subtraction Surprise

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Try out these calculations. Are you surprised by the results?

  • 4 by 4 Mathdokus
    problem
    Favourite

    4 by 4 Mathdokus

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
    1 out of 3

    Can you use the clues to complete these 4 by 4 Mathematical Sudokus?

  • Sealed Solution
    problem
    Favourite

    Sealed Solution

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    The sum of the numbers inside an envelope is written on the outside. What could the numbers be?

  • Diagonal Sums
    problem
    Favourite

    Diagonal Sums

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    In this 100 square, what is the sum of the numbers that are diagonally opposite each other?

  • problem
    Favourite

    Three Neighbours

    Age
    7 to 14
    Challenge level
    2 out of 3

    Take three consecutive numbers and add them together. What do you notice?