Equatero

Find the expression from a series of guesses and clues.

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Next Expression to Guess

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This is Equatero level 2. You can also try:
Level 1 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5

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Featured Activity

ChristMaths

ChristMaths

Christmas activities make those December Maths lessons interesting, exciting and relevant. If students have access to computers there are some online activities to keep them engaged such as Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Light Up.

Numeracy

"Numeracy is a proficiency which is developed mainly in Mathematics but also in other subjects. It is more than an ability to do basic arithmetic. It involves developing confidence and competence with numbers and measures. It requires understanding of the number system, a repertoire of mathematical techniques, and an inclination and ability to solve quantitative or spatial problems in a range of contexts. Numeracy also demands understanding of the ways in which data are gathered by counting and measuring, and presented in graphs, diagrams, charts and tables."

Secondary National Strategy, Mathematics at key stage 3

Go Maths

Learning and understanding Mathematics, at every level, requires learner engagement. Mathematics is not a spectator sport. Sometimes traditional teaching fails to actively involve students. One way to address the problem is through the use of interactive activities and this web site provides many of those. The Go Maths main page links to more activities designed for students in upper Secondary/High school.

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Transum,

Saturday, January 8, 2022

"It is not sufficient just to find an expression that’s true but to find the exact expression that I was thinking of. For example 6-1=5 while true would not be correct if I am thinking of 6=1+5."

Fiona Rosler, Twitter

Monday, February 7, 2022

Transum,

Thursday, July 14, 2022

"Mathematical Pie has been around for as long as I can remember. It is published three times a year and is aimed at pupils from 10 to 14 years of age, but is read by all age groups. Each issue contains a variety of problems and challenges, stimulating mathematical activity. The questions vary in their difficulty so that there are suitable starting points for all ages of student. It is published by the Mathematical Association.

I was excited to find out that the Summer 2022 edition featured Equatero. What an honour!. Here is the excerpt:

From Mathematical Pie"

Do you have any comments? It is always useful to receive feedback and helps make this free resource even more useful for those learning Mathematics anywhere in the world. Click here to enter your comments.

For Students:

 

For Teachers:

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© Transum Mathematics :: This activity can be found online at:
www.Transum.org/go/?Num=1001

Description of Levels

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Level 1 - Calculations containing 5 numbers and symbols

Examples: 1+2=3 or 6=8−2

Level 2 - Calculations containing 6 numbers and symbols

Examples: 3×4=12 or 5=14-9

Level 3 - Calculations containing 7 numbers and symbols

Examples: 2×2×2=8 or 5−3=2÷1

Level 4 - Calculations containing 8 numbers and symbols

Examples: 9×6=58−4 or 4+5+9=18

Level 5 - Calculations containing 9 numbers and symbols

Examples: 9^2=24+57 or √16=67−63

Vocabero - A similar game requiring you to guess a mathematical word.

Mathstermind - The Transum version of that old game requiring you to guess a number.

More Puzzles - all with a mathematical theme.

Answers to this exercise are available lower down this page when you are logged in to your Transum account. If you don’t yet have a Transum subscription one can be very quickly set up if you are a teacher, tutor or parent.

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Currently the greatest number of points earned in the last month for this level (Level 2) has been achieved by Ch Nathan with 116 points on Monday, December 9, 2024. Can you beat that? If you can make sure you claim a trophy because that is how good scores are officially recognised.

Ch Nathan

116 points

Example

Suppose I am thinking of the calculation 1+2=3

You have to try and gress what my calculation is.

For your first guess you may type in 4-1=3

When you have finished typing the tiles will change colour. The colours are the clues:

Example

Now have another guess at my calculation. Use the clues that you have been given.

Each of your guesses (for Levels 1 to 4) should be a correct mathematical equation (two equivalent expressions with an equals sign between them).

You will earn points for guessing my calculation correctly. When you have earned enough points you can claim a trophy.

Here is an example from level 4:

Example

I hope you enjoy working on these puzzles and I wish you many green tiles!

Answers to this exercise are available lower down this page when you are logged in to your Transum account. If you don’t yet have a Transum subscription one can be very quickly set up if you are a teacher, tutor or parent.

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Bidmas

BIDMAS is an acronym reminding pupils of the order of operation used when evaluating expressions involving a number of different operations. The letters of BIDMAS stand for:

When only addition and subtraction (or only multiplication and division) are left in an expression you should work them out in the order you find them, starting from the left and working towards the right. The blue image of the letters above has been designed to show that multiplication and division have the same importance as the letter M is in the same position as the letter D. The same can be said for the letters A and S.

For example, to evaluate the expression 32 + 5 x 7 - (4 - 3)

Work out the brackets first which gives 32 + 5 x 7 - 1

Then the indices 9 + 5 x 7 - 1

Then the multiplication 9 + 35 - 1

Then the addition and subtraction in the order they are given

The answer is 43

PEMDAS is an alternative acronym.

Pemdas

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