Collect as many diamonds as you can by drawing three straight lines.
A game in which players take it in turns to try to draw quadrilaterals (or triangles) with particular properties. Is it possible to fill the game grid?
Players take it in turns to choose a dot on the grid. The winner is the first to have four dots that can be joined to form a square.
The aim of the game is to slide the green square from the top right hand corner to the bottom left hand corner in the least number of moves.
A simple game of patience which often comes out. Can you explain why?
This article explains the use of the idea of connectedness in networks, in two different ways, to bring into focus the basics of the game of Go, namely capture and territory.
An article for teachers and pupils that encourages you to look at the mathematical properties of similar games.
This article invites you to get familiar with a strategic game called "sprouts". The game is simple enough for younger children to understand, and has also provided experienced mathematicians with. . . .
A simple game for 2 players invented by John Conway. It is played on a 3x3 square board with 9 counters that are black on one side and white on the other.
This is a game for two players. You will need some small-square grid paper, a die and two felt-tip pens or highlighters. Players take turns to roll the die, then move that number of squares in. . . .
A game for 2 players. Given an arrangement of matchsticks, players take it is turns to remove a matchstick, along with all of the matchsticks that touch it.
All you need for this game is a pack of cards. While you play the game, think about strategies that will increase your chances of winning.
The game of go has a simple mechanism. This discussion of the principle of two eyes in go has shown that the game does not depend on equally clear-cut concepts.
A game in which players take it in turns to turn up two cards. If they can draw a triangle which satisfies both properties they win the pair of cards. And a few challenging questions to follow...
Basic strategy games are particularly suitable as starting points for investigations. Players instinctively try to discover a winning strategy, and usually the best way to do this is to analyse. . . .
This pair of linked Sudokus matches letters with numbers and hides a seasonal greeting. Can you find it?
A game to make and play based on the number line.
We think this 3x3 version of the game is often harder than the 5x5 version. Do you agree? If so, why do you think that might be?
Have a go at this game which has been inspired by the Big Internet Math-Off 2019. Can you gain more columns of lily pads than your opponent?
Can you explain the strategy for winning this game with any target?
Spiralling Decimals game for an adult and child. Can you get three decimals next to each other on the spiral before your partner?
Nim-7 game for an adult and child. Who will be the one to take the last counter?
Got It game for an adult and child. How can you play so that you know you will always win?
Take turns to place a decimal number on the spiral. Can you get three consecutive numbers?
The computer starts with all the lights off, but then clicks 3, 4 or 5 times at random, leaving some lights on. Can you switch them off again?
Here is a machine with four coloured lights. Can you develop a strategy to work out the rules controlling each light?
Slide the pieces to move Khun Phaen past all the guards into the position on the right from which he can escape to freedom.
Use the tangram pieces to make our pictures, or to design some of your own!
Two sudokus in one. Challenge yourself to make the necessary connections.
Two sudokus in one. Challenge yourself to make the necessary connections.
A game for 2 players. Take turns to place a counter so that it occupies one of the lowest possible positions in the grid. The first player to complete a line of 4 wins.
Can you spot the similarities between this game and other games you know? The aim is to choose 3 numbers that total 15.
This game challenges you to locate hidden triangles in The White Box by firing rays and observing where the rays exit the Box.
A game for 2 or more people, based on the traditional card game Rummy. Players aim to make two `tricks', where each trick has to consist of a picture of a shape, a name that describes that shape, and. . . .
This article supplies teachers with information that may be useful in better understanding the nature of games and their role in teaching and learning mathematics.
Match pairs of cards so that they have equivalent ratios.
This article, the second in the series, looks at some different types of games and the sort of mathematical thinking they can develop.
An activity based on the game 'Pelmanism'. Set your own level of challenge and beat your own previous best score.
A game for 2 players. Set out 16 counters in rows of 1,3,5 and 7. Players take turns to remove any number of counters from a row. The player left with the last counter looses.
Can you beat the computer in the challenging strategy game?
A game for 2 people. Take turns joining two dots, until your opponent is unable to move.
Everthing you have always wanted to do with dominoes! Some of these games are good for practising your mental calculation skills, and some are good for your reasoning skills.
A Sudoku based on clues that give the differences between adjacent cells.
This article shows how abstract thinking and a little number theory throw light on the scoring in the game Go.