Domino Effect Puzzle
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Spark your students’ problem-solving skills! Explore the Domino Effect puzzle: arrange 8 dominoes to create a balanced 4×4 square. I think you will enjoy this exciting classroom challenge!
When I shared a photo of the Domino Effect Puzzle (this week’s magnetic puzzle of the week) on twitter, someone was quick to point out that I need to share the file on my blog.
This week’s puzzle is from Brainteasers: 195 Puzzles to Keep You Sharp!
Students are given 8 dominoes. The goal of the puzzle is to arrange these 8 dominoes to form a 4 x 4 square in which the number of pips in each row and each column is the same.
I put magnets on the back of my dominoes and posted the puzzle on the dry erase board.
But, I also made a tabletop version with smaller dominoes and a template to set them on top of.
I had a handful of students give this puzzle a try this week, but there was much less participation than usual. I’m not sure why…
Puzzle Solutions
Puzzle solutions are available on a password-protected solution page. I do not openly post the puzzle answer keys because one of my goals as a resource creator is to craft learning experiences for students that are non-google-able. I want teachers to be able to use these puzzles in their classrooms without the solutions being found easily on the Internet.
Please email me at sarah@mathequalslove.net for the password to the answer key database featuring all of my printable puzzles and math worksheets. I frequently have students emailing me for the answer key, so please specify in your email what school you teach at and what subjects you teach. If you do not provide these details, I will not be able to send you the password.
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, or as fun activities in their workplace. Just give me enough details so I know you are not a student looking for answers to the puzzle that was assigned as their homework!
Do you think all your students know that "pips" = "dots"?
Can the number of pips in each column be different than the number of pips in each row? Also, do all the dominoes have to be horizontal or can they be both horizontal and vertical? Thanks – as I am trying to work this one out myself before presenting it to my class.
This one was easy once I did the math equation.
Total number of pips, divided by 4 = total pips per line, vertically and horizontally. I even got one diagonal to add up also but not both diagonals.
I love hearing how people approach solving different puzzles!