Algebra on Rectangles

Algebra on Rectangles

This is a single variable algebra puzzle in which students try to find squares of different sizes to tile a rectangle. I prefer the two variable algebra variant on the right. Get students to create their own history puzzles. Algebra on Rectangles (R. L. Brooks, C. A....
Wrongifying Operators

Wrongifying Operators

Wrongifying Operators (MathPickle, 2012) Epic failure of arithmetic – when our operators (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division) fail to give us the answer! It is fun for students to see when things don’t work. It also forces them to be...
Fractions = Decimals using Algebra

Fractions = Decimals using Algebra

Desimal Deja-vu (MathPickle, 2013) Fractions and decimals are connected in magical ways. Here we convert from fractions to decimals and from decimals to fractions. This requires algebra. There’s a good case to be made that having fun is a key evolutionary...
Symbiotic Sets – addition and division

Symbiotic Sets – addition and division

Symbiotic Sets (MathPickle, 2014) Symbiotic sets are an excuse to practice problem solving and division.  I love these little sets and hope you’ll surpass me by finding more.  Please email me your discoveries… In my school, the brightest boys did math and...
EKG Sequences – factorization

EKG Sequences – factorization

Tree of Numbers – EKG Sequences (MathPickle, 2014) Student groups should work independently and then collaboratively to find when these integer sequences converge. Neil Sloane introduced me to the first EKG sequence in 2014. Its beauty and suitability for the...