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In this fun and engaging Sevens Number Challenge, you must use exactly four sevens and your choice of arithmetical symbols to form the eight given target numbers. What is the Sevens Challenge? Using exactly four sevens, add arithmetical symbols between the sevenss to make each of the target numbers. You may use plus, minus, times, …

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Are you ready to take on the Sixes Challenge? You must use exactly four sixes and your choice of arithmetical symbols to form the eight given target numbers. What is the Sixes Challenge? Using exactly four sixes, add arithmetical symbols between the sixes to make each of the target numbers. You may use plus, minus, …

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Can you solve the Fives Challenge? Can you use exactly four fives and your choice of arithmetical symbols to form the target numbers? What is the Fives Challenge? Using exactly four fives, add arithmetical symbols between the fives to make each of the target numbers. You may use plus, minus, times, and divide symbols, as …

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This 3-1-4 Number Challenge is the perfect way to challenge your brain on Pi Day! How many different numbers can you come up with mathematical expressions for using only the digits 3, 1, and 4? Instructions Use the digits 3, 1, and 4 exactly one time each along with any mathematical symbol or operation of …

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Can you solve the Fours Challenge? Can you use exactly four fours and your choice of arithmetical symbols to form the target numbers? What is the Fours Challenge? Using exactly four fours, add arithmetical symbols between the fours to make each of the target numbers. You may use plus, minus, times, and divide symbols, as …

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Can you solve the Threes Challenge? Can you use exactly four threes and your choice of arithmetical symbols to form the target numbers? What is the Threes Challenge? Using exactly four threes, add arithmetical symbols between the threes to make each of the target numbers. You may use plus, minus, times, and divide symbols, as …

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Can you solve the Twos Challenge? Can you use exactly four twos and your choice of arithmetical symbols to form the target numbers? Even though Twosday (2/22/22) was nine months ago, I still have lots of blog traffic to the Twosday Challenge. I decided it was time to share a version of the challenge that …

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This 9 Pumpkins Puzzle is sure to provide your students a fun Halloween themed math challenge. Without lifting your pencil, draw 4 straight lines that pass through all nine of the pumpkins. History of the Puzzle This is a Halloween-specific version of a classic brainteaser known as the 9 Dots Puzzle. The original puzzle is …

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I’m excited about these Connect the Shapes Puzzles from Tanya Grabarchuk. Following the lines of the grid, connect each pair of identical symbols with a single continuous line. The lines should cover all nodes of the shape. The lines may not cross each other. I plan on using these puzzles with my students inside my …

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Here’s a third hidden equation puzzle from Erich Friedman. Circle one symbol in each column so that a true equation results reading from left to right. I love to use these hidden equation puzzles with dry erase pockets in my classroom. If you don’t have a classroom set of dry erase pockets, you could also …

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I ran across this X Marks the Spot Puzzle several years ago. The goal of the puzzle is to place Xs in the drawing so that a certain set of requirements is met. After typing up this puzzle with several other brainteasers, I promptly misplaced the computer file before ever using any of the puzzles …

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It’s been almost two years since I last shared a hidden equation puzzle with you. These hidden equation puzzles are the product of Erich Friedman, a math professor and prolific puzzle creator. You can read more about Hidden Equation Puzzle 1 here. I was introduced to these hidden equation puzzles through Puzzle Box, Volume 2. …

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I am really excited about this shape grid puzzle from Erich Friedman. The goal of the puzzle is to divide the grid into geometric shapes. Any lines you draw must follow either the grid lines or the diagonals of the grid squares. Each shape that you draw must contain exactly one shape icon inside. This …

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Can you solve the 145 Doors Puzzle to help a prisoner break out of a medieval dungeon with 145 doors? The 145 Doors Puzzle is one of my favorite puzzles from The Moscow Puzzles: 359 Mathematical Recreations by Boris A. Kordemsky. You can also find the 145 doors puzzle online at NCTM Illuminations. Here’s the text …

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I’m back today with a new puzzle, Tic Tac Total. This puzzle, unlike the Pair Ups Puzzle I shared recently, can easily be applied to the distance learning classroom. It’s from the same excellent book Test Your Math IQ by Steve Ryan. I was able to borrow the book for free from the Internet Archive’s …

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Today I want to share a connect the dots puzzle with you courtesy of Erich Friedman in Puzzle Box, Volume 2. If you love puzzles like this, you should definitely check out Erich’s Puzzle Palace which is chock-full of amazing puzzles. All three of the books in this series have been a lovely addition to my …

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This school week was super-short due to the Oklahoma Teacher Walk-Out, but I still managed to put out a new puzzle on the puzzle table. The goal of the hidden equation puzzle is to circle one symbol from each column so that a true mathematical statement results. I placed the puzzle in a dry erase …

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This week, I’m trying out the Arrows Puzzle which is a different sort of puzzle on the puzzle table. Instead of being a puzzle where students have to arrange various laminated pieces like I frequently use, this is a coloring puzzle. To make things easier on students, I placed the puzzle inside an 11 x …

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Today I want to share the Maximize the Sum Puzzle with you. My Algebra 1 classes managed to get a bit off schedule of one another this past week. So, I declared Monday to be a “Catch-Up Day.” My classes that were behind were given our latest assignment and the class period to work on …

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Today I’m excited to share the 9 Dots Puzzle with you. I love puzzles. I also love finding a way to incorporate them into class. Since the first week of school is rampant with schedule changes (especially this year since we don’t have a guidance counselor), I aim to engage my students in math-y activities …

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