Hidden Equation Puzzles
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These hidden equation puzzles challenge students to circle one symbol in each column to create a true mathematical equation. These make great dry erase puzzles!
Hidden Equation Puzzles
Each of the three Hidden Equation Puzzles has the same instructions: Circle one symbol from each column so that a true mathematical statement is revealed.
Puzzle Source
I discovered these hidden equation puzzles in Puzzle Box, Volume 2 and Puzzle Box, Volume 3 which are both published by Dover Publications.
This trio of three books that was put together by the Grabarchuk Family is by far my favorite source of puzzles for use in the math classroom.
These specific puzzles were written by Erich Friedman, a math professor and prolific puzzle creator.
Using These Puzzles in the Classroom
I typed up these puzzles to be used on my weekly puzzle table.
I placed the puzzle in a dry erase pocket so that students could easily erase their solution after finding it so as not to give the solution away to future classes.
MATH = LOVE RECOMMENDS…
I cannot imagine teaching math without my dry erase pockets! They instantly make any activity more engaging and save me countless hours at the copy machine since I can use the same class sets of copies year after year.
Here are my current go-to recommendations:
If you don’t have a classroom set of dry erase pockets, you could also use heavy duty sheet protectors. But, I highly recommend investing in a classroom set of the pockets since they are so much more durable.
Free Download of Hidden Equation Puzzle
Hidden Equation Puzzle 1
Click here to Download
Hidden Equation 1 (PDF)
2276 downloads – 242.69 KB
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Hidden Equation 1 (Editable Publisher File ZIP)
1390 downloads – 186.35 KB
Hidden Equation Puzzle 2
Click here to Download
Hidden Equation 2 (PDF)
2555 downloads – 172.00 KB
Click here to Download
Hidden Equation 2 (Editable Publisher File ZIP)
1594 downloads – 117.32 KB
Hidden Equation Puzzle 3
Click here to Download
Hidden Equation 3 (PDF)
2624 downloads – 184.16 KB
Click here to Download
Hidden Equation 3 (Editable Publisher File ZIP)
1516 downloads – 139.18 KB
Want even more puzzles? Check out the new puzzle tab at the top of my blog.
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!
I'm a little confused here. I assumed the big dots were decimal points, but am now wondering if they are multiplication operators. Could you please enlighten me? Thanks
They are supposed to be multiplication dots. The original puzzle (as written in the book I got it from) had x's for multiplication, but I was afraid that my students would think of them as a variable since I teach Algebra 1.