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!
Free Download of Up to Specs Puzzle
Up to Specs Puzzle (PDF) (1804 downloads )
Up to Specs Puzzle (Editable Publisher File ZIP) (902 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.
More Puzzles with Movable Pieces
- Snowflake Square Edge Matching Puzzle
- Christmas Fill-In Puzzle
- Kwanzaa Square Edge Matching Puzzle
- Hanukkah Square Edge Matching Puzzle
- Christmas Tree Square Edge Matching Puzzle
- 8 Queens Puzzle
- Pentominoes Truck Puzzle
- Hawai’i Square Edge Matching Puzzle
- Pentominoes Parrot Puzzle
- Math Symbol Square Edge Matching Puzzle
- Avoid Three Game (and Challenge Puzzle)
- Thanksgiving Square Edge Matching Puzzle
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!