Make Six Puzzle – Number Challenge
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The Make Six Challenge is actually eight fun math challenges in one that all involve using three of the same digits to make the number 6.
This puzzle is just one of many free printable number challenges that I have created for my own classroom and am sharing with you!
Be sure to check out my entire collection of free printable math puzzles.
Looking for more first day of school activities and puzzles for your classroom? I have a giant blog post dedicated to 40+ activities for the first week of school.
Here’s a few examples of some of these engaging activities for the beginning of the school year.
Challenge Instructions
In this Make Six Puzzle, you are given eight equations. You must insert mathematical symbols (no digits) to make each equation equal six. If you are wondering what mathematical symbols you are allowed to use, that is up to you!
The only restriction is that you cannot add any digits to the equation. This includes adding exponents.
Puzzle Source
I first featured the puzzle in Volume 66 of Monday Must Reads. Tierney Kennedy shared this puzzle after seeing it on LinkedIn of all places.
In the comments of that twitter thread, 1to9puzzle [SPOILER ALERT – this link includes discussion of solutions] shared that they had run across the puzzle three years previously and had shared it on their twitter account.
As a result, I’m not sure exactly who to credit with the puzzle. If anyone knows of a source, I would love for you to share so I can share more details with my readers!
Even though I don’t know the exact origin of this Make Six Puzzle/Number Challenge, but I knew as soon as I saw it that I had to turn it into a resource I could use in my high school math classroom.
Using this Puzzle in the Classroom
I created a printable version of this make six puzzle to make it easy for teachers to use this puzzle with students in the classroom.
I printed the puzzle out on regular copy paper and gave it to students as worksheet to complete in groups, but you could also print it and slide it into a dry erase pocket to make a dry erase activity.
Digital Desmos Version of Make Six Challenge
Kathy Henderson shared a Desmos version of this activity. Students use the sketch tools to complete the challenge.
Free Download of Make Six Puzzle Challenge
This make 6 puzzle is available to download as either a PDF or an editable Publisher file. If you want to edit the file, you will need to have Microsoft Publisher installed on your computer.
Click here to Download
Make Six Puzzle Challenge (PDF)
17086 downloads – 37.38 KB
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 love love love your puzzles, but do you every have the answer keys to them by any chance?
Sending you an email, Lisa!
I’d love if you could send me an email as well!
Sending you an email now!
Could I also please get an answer key? Excited to try this with my Algebra students!
Emailed you!
I would love the answer key, please!
Emailed you!
Me too please!
Just sent you an email, Amy!
These are AWESOME! Thank you for sharing.
This is great! Do you mind sharing an answer key with me?
Emailed!
Can I please have an answer key? Thanks so much!
Emailed!
i would love the answer key please
Emailed!
May I please have the answer key as well. Thank you so much!!
Just emailed you, Sharon!
Can I get your answer keys too?!?! THanks!!!
Sent you an email, Kelly!
This is Great!!!
Hi! I am so excited to use this with my students! Would you also email me an answer key? Thanks!
Emailed you!
Can I have an answer key as well? Thanks! I love this! 🙂
Just emailed you!
Can I get it too?
Sent!
Can you please send me the key? We are stuck on one 😛 My class really enjoyed the challenge.
Just emailed you!
Yes please for me too. I LOVE your website, your story and the inspiring energy you bring to maths.
Thanks Suzannah! I just sent you an email.
Hi! I would love an answer key also 🙂 There is one answer just eluding me…
Just sent you an email, Jana!
Love it! Could I get an answer key for Make Six puzzle?
Email sent!
This is great stuff!!
Answers please ..
Sent you an email.
Hi there! Thanks for sharing such fantastic resources. Can you send me the key to this? Thanks so much!
Hi Nicole! I just sent you an email!
This is great! Can I please have the answer key? Thank you!
Just emailed you, Anita!
Just seen this on Twitter. Excellent resource thank you. Can I have the answer key too please?
Just emailed you, James!
I would love a key as well!
Just sent you an email, Karen.
Can you send me a key to this one too? Thanks!!
Just sent you an email, Mercedes!