Number Cruncher

Briefing

How do you get from 5 to 8? The easiest way is to add 3. But you could also add 4 and subtract 1, or multiply by 2 and subtract 2. In this Mind Game, you'll find your way through a math maze to get from start to finish!

Activity

On the screen you'll see a grid full of numbers.

The number in the center is your starting point.

The number above the grid is your target (the number you are trying to get to).

Starting from the center square, move around the grid by clicking on the other squares one at a time. You can move only between squares that are next to each other. You can move horizontally or vertically, but not diagonally.

The number in the center will change every time you click on a new square. For example, if the center number is 5 and you click on "+2", the center number will change to 7. If you then click on the "x3" the center number will change to 21.

Keep playing until the number in the center matches the number above, or until you get stuck.

You can't click on a square more than once - so don't get trapped!

See if you can reach your target in as few moves as possible.

Debriefing

What was the best strategy for this game? Did you go one step at a time or did you think several steps ahead? Was it always helpful to get as close to your target as possible on every single move?

If you've got your Case Journals, answer the questions in it now. Then you can go back and try the other ways to play the game!