Math Valentine Square Puzzle

Post Contents hide

1 Instructions

2 Ideas for Modifying the Puzzle

3 Math Valentine Conversation Hearts

4 Free Download of Math Valentine Square Puzzle

5 Puzzle Solutions

6 More Activities for Valentine’s Day

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This math valentine square puzzle combines cheesy mathematical valentines with a square edge-matching puzzle. Can you correctly assemble the pieces to create a 3×3 square?

This math-themed Valentine’s Day puzzle was inspired by the classic 9-piece scramble squares puzzles which can be purchased with different themes. The goal of these puzzles is to assemble the pieces in a 3×3 square by correctly matching the edges of each puzzle piece.

This type of puzzle is considered an edge-matching puzzle.

I had a lot of fun learning how to make this puzzle. I first started creating it in Microsoft Publisher which is my go-to program for creating files for my classroom. But I ended up making it in LaTeX. This project required a bit more coding skills than my only previous LaTeX projects – my mystery coordinate plane tangram puzzles.

Instructions

After printing the math valentine square puzzle, cut apart the 9 pieces. Assemble them into a 3×3 grid so that the puzzle pieces match along each edge.

Ideas for Modifying the Puzzle

Looking to make the puzzle a bit easier? My best advice for modifying this puzzle would be to tell students which piece is in the top corner of the solved puzzle.

Math Valentine Conversation Hearts

When the puzzle is solved correctly, these four different math-themed conversation hearts will be formed throughout the puzzle.

I decided that these conversation hearts would make cute posters to hang up around a math classroom on Valentine’s Day, so I enlarged them to create free printable math valentine posters.

Free Download of Math Valentine Square Puzzle

Math Valentine Square Puzzle (PDF) (2005 downloads )

heart with statistics normal curve on top.

VALENTINE’S DAY MATH RESOURCES

Looking for more Valentine’s Day math teaching resources? This activity is featured in my collection of Valentine’s Day Math Activities and Puzzles. You’ll find 29 more creative ideas for celebrating Valentine’s Day with your math students.

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.