The base integral fission worksheet has changed a lot over the years since I first introduced it into the classroom. Now it comes with a smattering of hints. Some students tackle the worksheet from the top down – others jump to the hint numbers and solve them first. I like giving students this flexibility. The color gradient is also new. I always like beauty in the math classroom – and this is one of my favorites if a school can afford color.

Integral Fission
(MathPickle, 2011)
This video was first created in 2011. I’ve refined Integral Fission in the intervening years. The slideshow at the top is the result.
Integral fission is a variant of prime factorization trees allows the creation of a treasure trove of puzzles. The newest puzzle is to find the first time each Integral Fission shape is encountered. Download the 2019 Puzzle-sheet, instructions and solutions here.
Standards for Mathematical Practice
MathPickle puzzle and game designs engage a wide spectrum of student abilities while targeting the following Standards for Mathematical Practice:
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MP1 Toughen up!
This is problem solving where our students develop grit and resiliency in the face of nasty, thorny problems. It is the most sought after skill for our students.
MP3 Work together!
This is collaborative problem solving in which students discuss their strategies to solve a problem and identify missteps in a failed solution. MathPickle recommends pairing up students for all its puzzles.
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MP6 Be precise!
This is where our students learn to communicate using precise terminology. MathPickle encourages students not only to use the precise terms of others, but to invent and rigorously define their own terms.
MP7 Be observant!
One of the things that the human brain does very well is identify pattern. We sometimes do this too well and identify patterns that don't really exist.