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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.
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.

I found this puzzle in Puzzle Box, Volume 2 which is one of the volumes in my favorite collection of printed puzzles. Erich Friedman has a gigantic collection of free puzzles on his website that are worth taking a look at, as well!
Digital Version of Hidden Equation Puzzle 3
Kathy Henderson has created a digital version of this Hidden Equation Puzzle 3 in Desmos Activity Builder.
Free Download of Hidden Equation Puzzle 3
Hidden Equation 3 (PDF) (1243 downloads)
Hidden Equation 3 (Editable Publisher File ZIP) (310 downloads)
Want more puzzles? Check out my puzzles page!
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.
More Number Puzzles
- 3-1-4 Pi Day Number Challenge
- Fours Challenge Puzzle
- 2023 Challenge: Yearly Number Challenge
- Threes Challenge
- Twos Challenge
- 7 Free Printable Math Challenges to Enjoy
- Twosday Challenge Activity
- Strimko Puzzles in the Classroom
- Rotated Square Puzzle
- Make 30 Puzzles
- Which Side of the Line Numbers Puzzle
- Simple Sums Puzzle
- Sums Puzzle
- Twenty Cubes Puzzle
- Number Strips Puzzle
- Pips Puzzle
- Triangle Sums Puzzle
- In a Row Puzzle
- Square Sudokus
- Magic Square 15 Puzzle
- Make It Pythagorean Puzzles
- Hidden Equation Puzzle 3
- Measurement Puzzlers
- Make Six Puzzle – Number Challenge
- Hidden Equation Puzzle 2
- See and Say Sequence Puzzle
- Pattern 15 and Pattern 30 Puzzles
- Sum to Twenty-One Puzzle
- Number Ball Puzzles by Naoki Inaba
- 9-10-11-12 Challenge
- Hidato Puzzles
- Plus Times Puzzles
- Three Numbers Puzzle
- Equation Puzzle
- Sum to Thirty Puzzle
- The Splice is Right Puzzle
- Up to Specs Puzzle
- Equation Rotation Puzzle
- Tic Tac Total Puzzle
- Only Takes and Adds Puzzle
- 20 x 9 Challenge
- Big Magic – A Printable Magic Square Puzzle
- TIGO Puzzles
- Step Puzzles by Naoki Inaba – A Logic Puzzle for Introducing Arithmetic Sequences
- Is it Possible Divisibility Puzzle
- Genius Blocks
- Nine Squares Puzzle
- Twelve Envelopes Puzzle
- Twos to Nines Challenges
- Factor Tree Puzzles Inspired by Dr. Harold Reiter
- Seven Times Seventy Puzzle
- Hidden Equation Puzzle 1
- Sum to Twenty Puzzle by Marcy Cook
- Maximize the Sum Puzzle
- Strimko Logic Puzzles Review
- Perfect Square Puzzle
- Crazy Eight Paper Folding Puzzle
- Post-It Note Puzzle
- How Far Can YOU Climb? – An Activity by Frank Tapson
- Angle Mazes by Naoki Inaba
- The 5-4-3-2-1 Challenge
- Japanese Logic Puzzles for the Secondary Math Classroom
- Area Maze Puzzles from Naoki Inaba
- KenKen In The Classroom
- Futoshiki Puzzles
- Petals Around the Rose
- Hashi Puzzles
- Shikaku Puzzles
- Nonogram Puzzles
- Four Fours Challenge Activity
- 31-derful Puzzle
- Digit Cells Puzzle
Mike
Friday 13th of August 2021
Never mind, I solved the puzzle shortly after posting my original question. The black circles represent multiplication signs.
Sarah Carter
Sunday 15th of August 2021
Sorry for the confusion!
Mike
Friday 13th of August 2021
Are the black circles intended to represent decimal points or multiplication signs?
Amy Bernhard
Wednesday 2nd of June 2021
I absolutely love all your activities! This hidden equations activity is great. It gets the kids really thinking about the math and really shows if the kids conceptually understand equations and math operations in general.