Ups & Downs

Ups & Downs

Ups & Downs (MathPickle 2022) This puzzle plays with subtraction. It is exploration for the sake of exploration. See what you discover. The day after this video was published, Gabriella Pinter from the Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of...
ConVexed (clockwise, convexity, word puzzle)

ConVexed (clockwise, convexity, word puzzle)

ConVexed (MathPickle 2021) I’m not used to designing word puzzles, but this one is cute and allows your class to discuss terms like “clockwise”, “counter-clockwise” as well as getting creative and designing your own puzzles. Here is a pdf...
Colouring Ukraine (place value)

Colouring Ukraine (place value)

Coloring Ukraine (MathPickle 2022) This Feb 2022 activity is rooted in sad world events, but it simultaneously celebrates the tradition of beautiful map colouring puzzles.  Here is a map to colour (you’ll need to choose “File” then “Make a...
Glue (addition, geometry)

Glue (addition, geometry)

Glue (MathPickle 2021) This geometric square-gluing puzzle is one of my best from 2021. The rules are simple (but probably best seen on the video rather than read): 1) Start with two 1×1 squares labelled “1.” 2) Glue a new square labelled with one...
Coins in a Row (addition, game)

Coins in a Row (addition, game)

Coins in a Row (Peter Winkler 2003) This is not an original MathPickle puzzle. It’s from Mathematical Puzzles: A Connoisseur’s Collection (163 pages, 2003) by Peter Winkler. Spoiler Alert! The solution is in the video below. Teaching is an...