4 x 4 Checkered Square Puzzle
Can you assemble the four pieces to create a 4×4 square with a checkered pattern?
Instructions
Place the four provided pieces on the 4 x 4 grid to form a square with a checkered pattern.
Puzzle Source
I ran across this puzzle in a collection of 199 different mathematical puzzles that is offered as a free download from IREM de Lyon. This is a top-notch puzzle resource if you speak French.
I sadly do not speak French, but I was able to use the Google Translate app to translate quite a few of the puzzle instructions in order to use them in my classroom. Other puzzles I typed up from this same resource is the U Sums Puzzle, Magic H Puzzle, Lines of 3 Puzzle, and Equal Sums Puzzle.
This specific puzzle is #139 – Damier 4×4.
Notes for Using this Puzzle in the Classroom
When I ran across the book of 199 math puzzles from IREM de Lyon, I excitedly typed up probably 10 or so puzzles to use with my students.
I didn’t realize that this 4 x 4 checkered puzzle was so easy. Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t have bothered to type it up. This puzzle is definitely more suited for much younger students than my high school juniors and seniors. LOL.
Hopefully some of you who work with younger students will still be able to use this as a puzzle in your own classroom. If you do try it with high schoolers or adults – please do be prepared for them to solve it in a lot less time than it took you to cut out the four pieces.
Previously, I have tried a MUCH LARGER checkerboard puzzle with my students called Eight Checkered L’s. It was so difficult that I have only had 1 or 2 students ever solve it.
Free Download of 4 x 4 Checkered Square Puzzle
This 4 x 4 Checkered Square Puzzle is available to download as a PDF and as an editable Publisher File. To edit the file, you will need to have Microsoft Publisher installed on your computer.
4 x 4 Checkered Square Puzzle (PDF) (1209 downloads )
4 x 4 Checkered Square Puzzle (Editable Publisher File ZIP) (429 downloads )
Puzzle Solutions
I intentionally do not make answers to the printable math puzzles I share on my blog available online because I strive to provide learning experiences for my students that are non-google-able. I would like other teachers to be able to use these puzzles in their classrooms as well without the solutions being easily found on the Internet.
However, I do recognize that us teachers are busy people and sometimes need to quickly reference an answer key to see if a student has solved a puzzle correctly or to see if they have interpreted the instructions properly.
If you are a teacher who is using these puzzles in your classroom, please send me an email at sarah@mathequalslove.net with information about what you teach and where you teach. I will be happy to forward an answer key to you.
Not a teacher? Go ahead and send me an email as well. Just let me know what you are using the puzzles for. I am continually in awe of how many people are using these puzzles with scouting groups, with senior adults battling dementia, as fun activities in their workplace, or as a birthday party escape room.
