Search by Topic

Resources tagged with Addition & subtraction similar to Cycling Squares:

Filter by: Content type:
Stage:
Challenge level: Challenge Level:1 Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:3

There are 241 results

Broad Topics > Calculations and Numerical Methods > Addition & subtraction

problem icon

Cycling Squares

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Can you make a cycle of pairs that add to make a square number using all the numbers in the box below, once and once only?

problem icon

Domino Numbers

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Can you see why 2 by 2 could be 5? Can you predict what 2 by 10 will be?

problem icon

A Dotty Problem

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Starting with the number 180, take away 9 again and again, joining up the dots as you go. Watch out - don't join all the dots!

problem icon

Picture a Pyramid ...

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

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?

problem icon

One Million to Seven

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

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?

problem icon

Painting Possibilities

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

This task, written for the National Young Mathematicians' Award 2016, involves open-topped boxes made with interlocking cubes. Explore the number of units of paint that are needed to cover the boxes. . . .

problem icon

Number Differences

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

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?

problem icon

Difference

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

Place the numbers 1 to 10 in the circles so that each number is the difference between the two numbers just below it.

problem icon

Add the Weights

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

If you have only four weights, where could you place them in order to balance this equaliser?

problem icon

A Square of Numbers

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

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

problem icon

Which Symbol?

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Choose a symbol to put into the number sentence.

problem icon

Pair Sums

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

Five numbers added together in pairs produce: 0, 2, 4, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15 What are the five numbers?

problem icon

Seven Square Numbers

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

Add the sum of the squares of four numbers between 10 and 20 to the sum of the squares of three numbers less than 6 to make the square of another, larger, number.

problem icon

More Carroll Diagrams

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

How have the numbers been placed in this Carroll diagram? Which labels would you put on each row and column?

problem icon

Code Breaker

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

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?

problem icon

Ladybird Box

Stage: 1 and 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Place six toy ladybirds into the box so that there are two ladybirds in every column and every row.

problem icon

Sort Them Out (2)

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Can you each work out the number on your card? What do you notice? How could you sort the cards?

problem icon

Countdown

Stage: 2 and 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Here is a chance to play a version of the classic Countdown Game.

problem icon

Five Coins

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Ben has five coins in his pocket. How much money might he have?

problem icon

Today's Date - 01/06/2009

Stage: 1 and 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

What do you notice about the date 03.06.09? Or 08.01.09? This challenge invites you to investigate some interesting dates yourself.

problem icon

Multiply the Addition Square

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

If you take a three by three square on a 1-10 addition square and multiply the diagonally opposite numbers together, what is the difference between these products. Why?

problem icon

Two Primes Make One Square

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

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

problem icon

Sealed Solution

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Ten cards are put into five envelopes so that there are two cards in each envelope. The sum of the numbers inside it is written on each envelope. What numbers could be inside the envelopes?

problem icon

Strike it Out

Stage: 1 and 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Use your addition and subtraction skills, combined with some strategic thinking, to beat your partner at this game.

problem icon

Six Is the Sum

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

What do the digits in the number fifteen add up to? How many other numbers have digits with the same total but no zeros?

problem icon

Money Bags

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Ram divided 15 pennies among four small bags. He could then pay any sum of money from 1p to 15p without opening any bag. How many pennies did Ram put in each bag?

problem icon

Dicey Addition

Stage: 1 and 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Who said that adding couldn't be fun?

problem icon

A-magical Number Maze

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

This magic square has operations written in it, to make it into a maze. Start wherever you like, go through every cell and go out a total of 15!

problem icon

Tug Harder!

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

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?

problem icon

Prison Cells

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

There are 78 prisoners in a square cell block of twelve cells. The clever prison warder arranged them so there were 25 along each wall of the prison block. How did he do it?

problem icon

Page Numbers

Stage: 2 Short Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Exactly 195 digits have been used to number the pages in a book. How many pages does the book have?

problem icon

Plants

Stage: 1 and 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Three children are going to buy some plants for their birthdays. They will plant them within circular paths. How could they do this?

problem icon

Adding Plus

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Can you put plus signs in so this is true? 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 = 99 How many ways can you do it?

problem icon

Making Maths: Double-sided Magic Square

Stage: 2 and 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Make your own double-sided magic square. But can you complete both sides once you've made the pieces?

problem icon

Open Squares

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

This task, written for the National Young Mathematicians' Award 2016, focuses on 'open squares'. What would the next five open squares look like?

problem icon

Pouring the Punch Drink

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

There are 4 jugs which hold 9 litres, 7 litres, 4 litres and 2 litres. Find a way to pour 9 litres of drink from one jug to another until you are left with exactly 3 litres in three of the jugs.

problem icon

Finding Fifteen

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Tim had nine cards each with a different number from 1 to 9 on it. How could he have put them into three piles so that the total in each pile was 15?

problem icon

Polo Square

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Arrange eight of the numbers between 1 and 9 in the Polo Square below so that each side adds to the same total.

problem icon

One Wasn't Square

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

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.

problem icon

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

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!

problem icon

The Puzzling Sweet Shop

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

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?

problem icon

Zargon Glasses

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

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?

problem icon

Asteroid Blast

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

A game for 2 people. Use your skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to blast the asteroids.

problem icon

Totality

Stage: 1 and 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

This is an adding game for two players.

problem icon

All Seated

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Look carefully at the numbers. What do you notice? Can you make another square using the numbers 1 to 16, that displays the same properties?

problem icon

How Much Did it Cost?

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

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

problem icon

Prompt Cards

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

These two group activities use mathematical reasoning - one is numerical, one geometric.

problem icon

Odds and Threes

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

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.

problem icon

Hubble, Bubble

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

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?

problem icon

On Target

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

You have 5 darts and your target score is 44. How many different ways could you score 44?


The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice. More information on many of our other activities can be found here.
Copyright © 1997 - 2017. University of Cambridge. All rights reserved.
NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.