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Nines Challenge Puzzle

The Nines Challenge is a fun number-based puzzle which challenges you to make various results using exactly four nines as well as your choice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division as well as grouping symbols.

Nines Challenge Puzzle.

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.

free printable number challenges for the math classroom.

What is the Nines Challenge?

Using exactly four nines, add arithmetical symbols between the nines to make each of the target numbers. You may use plus, minus, times, and divide symbols, as well as parentheses and brackets for grouping.

This nines number challenge is a fun twist on the classic Four Fours Puzzle.

Source of Challenge

I discovered this challenge based on the number three in Pierre Berloquin’s 100 Numerical Games book.

I picked up a copy of the book several years ago at Goodwill, and it has inspired numerous classroom activities over the years. Previously, I have blogged about the 20 x 9 Challenge, the Twos Challenge, the Threes Challenge, the Fours Challenge, the Fives Challenge, the Sixes Challenge, the Sevens Challenge, and the Eights Challenge.

Ideas for Using in Class

I have previously used this challenge with students on the first day of school as part of the Twos to Nines Challenge. I put challenges up for each of the numbers from two to nine around the classroom for students to tackle on our dry erase boards.

fours challenge

I have since created a printable PDF template for the nines challenge that already has the four nines written in. Students just have to add various mathematical symbols to make each expression mathematically correct.

Nines Challenge Puzzle Screenshot.

For puzzles like this, I usually only print a class set of copies in order to save paper. I prefer to give my students these puzzles in a dry erase pocket. You can pick them at places like Dollar Tree and Target’s Dollar Spot, but I’ve found they are much cheaper when you buy a classroom set from somewhere like Amazon.

MATH = LOVE RECOMMENDS…

dry erase pockets

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.

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!

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