Make Six Puzzle – Number Challenge
I donāt 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.
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.
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 ā 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, Iām 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!
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
Make Six Puzzle Challenge (PDF) (15534 downloads )
Make Six Puzzle Challenge (Editable Publisher File ZIP) (3632 downloads )
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.
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, as fun activities in their workplace, or as a birthday party escape room.
Hi,
I am doing this puzzle as a welcome lesson. I have worked out all the answers and would like to see the other solutions as well. I have got a complicated way to work out the 8. Would you mind sharing with us please.
Just sent you an email!
I would love an answer key if possible. Thanks!
Sent you an email, Shayna!
This is great – I’m so excited to use this with my students! Thank you!
Would love the key as well
Sent you an email, Amy!
Thank you for sharing your puzzles!
Can’t wait to try this out with my class.
I would also love the answer key. Thanks!
Just sent you an email, Lori!
I can’t wait to use this! Thanks
Thanks!
Thank you.
Hi! Iād love to use this with my 7th graders.
This is awesome, but we are stuck on one.
Can I get an answer key to Make Six, please?
Sent you an email, Elizabeth!
Iām just stuck on one of them! ??
Love this! May I please also have the answer key? I’m stumped on a few of these and so are my students! š
Would love answer keys as well!!
Sent you an email!
May I also have an answer key?
Just sent one your way š
Would love answer keys too pretty please š
Just sent it your way.
Sorry for the extra work for you – but can I have an answer key as well?
No problem, Susan. Check your email!
Thanks so much!!