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)
16825 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!
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! I’d 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!
I’m 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! 🙂
Would love answer keys as well!!
Sent you an email!
May I also have an answer key?
Just sent one your way 🙂
Would love answer keys too pretty please 🙂
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!!