by MathPickle | Sep 18, 2015 |
Using Least 1s (Conway & Guy, 1962) Using multiplication and addition try to create the target number using the least number of ones. For example… to get to the number 12, you could do (1+1+1+1)*(1+1+1) or (1+1+1+1+1)*(1+1)+1+1 but the first solution is...
by MathPickle | Sep 16, 2015 |
Half Fraction Snake (MathPickle, 2013) This is the best puzzle to introduce students to fractions. It was the third MathPickle puzzle to get into the New York Times. Why is it so good to introduce fractions? Because only 1/2 is used – that’s the secret. I...
by MathPickle | Sep 16, 2015 |
Ballast Puzzles The objective of this puzzle is to find those warships that will tip over because of improper ballast. Start by getting them to understand ballast... It is something heavy that you put in the bottom of a boat so it doesn't tip. I sometimes do a...
by MathPickle | Sep 15, 2015 |
Beetle Blitz! (MathPickle, 2013) We learn best through hard fun. These games are for students who need practice with single digit multiplication. They are entirely unfair – almost always one beetle will have a winning strategy. I love to emphasize this to help...
by MathPickle | Sep 15, 2015 |
Daedalus and Icarus try to Escape (Lothar Collatz, 1937) The Collatz conjecture from 1937 is essential in every student’s experience of mathematics. Here we present it with a backdrop from Greek mythology. It gives students practice in multiplying by 3 so when the...
