Up to Specs Puzzle
I’m back today with a free download of a new puzzle called Up to Specs.
The Up to Specs Puzzle is found in Test Your Math IQ by Steve Ryan. I was able to borrow the book for free from the Internet Archive’s online lending library.
I highly recommend this site for checking out various books before you commit to buying a copy!
You may recognize this book from the previous puzzles I have shared from it: Tic Tac Total Puzzle and Pair Ups Puzzle.
In the Up to Specs Puzzle, you are given an array of spectacles with the following instructions: Position the numbers one through fifteen on the fifteen unbroken lenses in this puzzle.
Do this in such a way that each pair of spectacles totals fifteen and each horizontal, vertical, and diagonal row of four lenses totals thirty.
I typed up the numbers one through fifteen on small cards that can be placed on top of each lens.
If each pair of spectacles must total fifteen, then the number fifteen must be placed on the pair with the broken lens. Where do the others go? I’ll leave that for you to figure out!
This puzzle reminds me of a magic square with a twist.
I look forward to seeing how other teachers use this puzzle in their own classrooms. It’s my favorite part of blogging!
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!
This looks like so much fun! Here’s a link to a Jamboard version that I just put together:
https://jamboard.google.com/d/12Yvx-VN8qCgkuiQgqab1n7OQ5Sjl66CTvqA8Pz1paJU/copy?usp=sharing
I am so blessed to have received this from you. I was just looking for ideas for a lesson when I found your post. Thank you so much!
Is there an answer key?
I try to not post answer keys online because I don’t want students to be able to google and find the answer. Sorry!