Arithmetic Starters:
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Write out the 5.5 times table as far as possible.
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Develop a quick way of mentally multiplying any number by 1001.
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A game based around the concept of factors and abundant numbers.
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Calculations appear on the screen every few seconds. This mental arithmetic starter provides pace to the start of the Maths lesson.
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Arrange the numbers 1 to 14 in the circles so that the sums are correct.
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Can you write an expression for 100 which uses all the digits 1 to 9?
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Add up all the multiples of nine in an elegant way.
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This lesson starter requires pupils to find the missing numbers in this partly completed arithmagon puzzle.
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Work out the number of stamps needed to post a parcel.
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Use only the 1, 5 and 0 keys on a calculator to make given totals.
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Estimate or calculate then put the large numbers in order of size.
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The calculations are obscured by ink blots. What do you think the calculations would look like if there were no blots?
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Make the numbers 1 to 10 using only the keys on the broken calculator.
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Some keys are missing from this calculator. Just how useful is it?
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Which numbers can be made with the buttons which have not yet dropped off this calculator?
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A game for two players requiring a calculator and thinking skills.
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A game in which players take turns to add a single-digit number to what is already in the calculator. The winner is the player who makes the display show 30.
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Can you use the digits on the left of this clock along with any mathematical operations to equal the digits on the right?
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Some calculations are partly obscured. Work out what those calculations might be.
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Three consecutive numbers multiplied together give a given product. Pupils are asked to figure out what the numbers are.
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Which three consecutive numbers multiplied together give the given answer.
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How close can you get to the target by making a calculation from the five numbers given?
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How did the clock break if the numbers on each of the pieces added up to the same total?
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Answer the mental arithmetic questions then convert the answers to letters to find the joke.
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Decode the message by doing the calculations given for each letter.
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Arrange the digits 1 to 6 to make a three digit number divided by a two digit number giving a one digit answer.
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Arrange the digits from 1 to 9 in alphabetical order. How many times can this number be halved?
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Random division calculations appear on screen every few seconds.
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Begin with one, double it, double it again and so on. How many numbers in this sequence can you write down before the register has been called?
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Practise multiplying and dividing by eleven in your head.
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Find out which of the calculator keys is faulty from the given information. A mathematical puzzle requiring good problem solving strategies.
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Find words which cost 100p if A costs 1p, B costs 2p etc
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If each number in a sequence must be a factor or multiple of the previous number what is the longest sequence that can be made from the given numbers?
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Use the flowchart to generate a sequence of numbers. Which number will reach 1 the fastest?
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Find which whole number divided by another whole number gives the answer: 1.090909091
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Four problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
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Add up the answers to the four real life questions.
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An activity involving a broken calculator which is missing the four button. Can you evaluate the given expressions without using the four?
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For mathematical questions to get everyone thinking at the beginning of the lesson.
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Which of the numbers from one to twenty can you make with the digits 4, 5, 6 and 7?
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A clock face containing only the number 4. Can you make a clock face containing any other single number?
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Six calculations to complete without a calculator.
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If A costs 1p, B costs 2p, etc can you find a word which costs exactly 50p?
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Start with 100. Halve it to get 50. Halve that to get 25. Continue as far as possible.
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Start with 512. Halve it to get 256. Halve it to get 128. Continue as far as possible.
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To find out whether a number is happy or not, square each of its digits, add the answers and repeat. If you end up with 1 the number is happy! How many other happy numbers can you find?
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A little lateral thinking will help you solve this number puzzle.
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Pens cost 12p each, Pencils cost 9p each, Richard spent 72p altogether. How many pens and pencils did he buy?
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Write down as many multiples of 3.5 as possible in 3.5 minutes.
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Loosely based on the famous television show, how many questions cn you come up with for a given answer?
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Find a word whose letters would cost exactly ninety nine pence.
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Check a student's homework. If you find any of the answers are wrong write down a sentence or two explaining what he did wrong.
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Find the weight of one cuboid (by division) of each colour then add your answers together.
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Work out what the calculations might be from the letter clues.
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Do as many of the calculations as possible before the maggots infest!
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Arrange the numbers 1 to 9 in a 3 by 3 grid to form a magic square.
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Add together the dates of all the Thursdays in May this year. Which day sum is largest?
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A traditional twenty question mental arithmetic test presented as a PowerPoint presentation.
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The starter is a PowerPoint file containing a twenty question mental arithmetic test. It will advance from one question to the next automatically.
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Which numbers when multiplied by the number of letters in the word(s) of the number give square numbers?
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The bottom half of some symmetrical calculations are shown above. Can you work out the answers?
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Find which digits are missing from the randomly generated calculations.
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A puzzle about a restaurant bill. Exactly where did the missing pound go?
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How many times can you take one number from another?
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Copy and complete the multiplication grid. The higher levels include negative numbers.
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Random multiplications appear on screen every few seconds.
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Arrange the digits one to nine to make a correct addition calculation.
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Arrange the numbers 1-9 to make three 3 digit numbers that add up to 999.
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Find which numbers in a given list do not combine with other numbers on the list to make a given sum.
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Divide one whole number by another on your calculator. If the answer has one digit repeated but no other digits you have a Noodlewhack.
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Double the numbers given in the table.
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How many ways can you write an expression for 100 which only uses the same digit repeated and any operations?
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Find other numbers that can be changed to 1 on a calculator using only the 4 key and any operation.
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Which group of four numbers, arranged in a square, has the largest total?
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Find three numbers such that each pair of numbers adds up to a square number.
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Five numbers are added together in pairs and the sums shown. What might the five numbers be?
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Complete the table by calculating common percentages without using a calculator.
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Arrange the numbers so that the totals of the three numbers along any pipe are the same.
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Arrange numbers on the plane shaped grid to produce the given totals
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The sum and product are given, can you find the two numbers?
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If six girls can plant 90 trees in a day. How many trees can ten girls plant in a day? The unitary method.
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A number puzzle suitable for children with a wide range of abilities.
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Work out the answers to the four given sums then add the answers together.
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Stand at the point between the classroom walls to represent a given number.
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Work out the answers to the given calculations then add the answers together. There are three different levels of difficulty.
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Complete the calculations with the weights of the puddings
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Arrange numbers at the bottom of the pyramid which will give the largest total at the top.
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Work out the answers to the given division calculations then add the answers together.
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Use your calculator to find which whole number divided by another whole number gives a recurring decimal.
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It is called Refreshing Revision because every time you refresh the page you get different revision questions.
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Find a calculation for the current year which uses all of the digits 1 to 9.
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Learn a very different method for writing numbers using Roman numerals.
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Go around the roundabout performing each of the operations. Which starting point gives the largest answer?
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Round off the given numbers to 1 decimal place then add the answers together.
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Round off the given numbers to 2 decimal places then add the answers together.
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Round off the given numbers to the nearest whole number then add the answers together.
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Work out the cheapest way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas by choosing the best route and adding up the given numbers.
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Can you work out from the five clues given what the mystery number is?
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Estimate then work out the period of time equal to the given number of seconds.
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Make sums from the three digit numbers given.
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Work out which is the best scheme for Sid to choose for his summer bonus. One scheme involves a common misconception about percentages.
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Continue the sequences if you can work out the rule.
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An activity involving a calculator which is missing the six button. Can you evaluate the given expressions without using the six?
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Six calculations to perform without a calculator.
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Many basic numeracy questions generated from the number selected by the wheel of fortune.
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Arrange the numbers on the grid of squares so that the totals along each line of three squares are equal.
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Arrange the numbered trees so that adjacent sums are square numbers.
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Can you find three square numbers where the third is the sum of the first two?
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Write down many different types
of calculations which give a particular answer.
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Which of the coloured stencils will fit over the numbered card to produce correct calculations?
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A challenge to learn an unfamiliar times table involving decimals.
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Six students borrow £5000 to help pay for their university course. Calculate how much each student will have to pay back to the lender.
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Calculations appear on the screen every few seconds.
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What is the sum of the numbers missing from the given Sudoku puzzle?
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Arrange the numbers one to eight into the calculations to make the totals correct..
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Make up real life stories for the given calculations.
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Learn an unusual times table from the strategic finger moving up and down the 'Table Leg'!
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Use the given numbers to produce a calculation to get as close as possible to the given target.
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Four subtractions to be done without a calculator. The answers are then to be added together.
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Work out who is in which team from the information given.
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Find three numbers from those given that add up to 1000. How many different sets of three numbers can be found?
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Find as many sets of three of the available numbers as possible which add up to the given total.
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A Think Of A Number problem presented as a news ticker.
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You have 10 seconds to answer each of the mental arithmetic questions.
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How fast can you answer 24 mixed times tables questions?
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Place the numbers on the triangle so that the totals along each of the sides are equal.
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Complete the sums using only the given numbers then check your calculations are correct.
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Find as many sets of three of the available numbers as possible which add up to the given total.
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Find the two numbers whose sum and product are given.
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Make a poster showing a variety of calculations that give the answer two thirds.
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Arrange the numbers 1 to 9 in a 3 by 3 grid so that none of the line totals are the same.
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Four quick Maths questions to warm up the brain.
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Find five different integers that multiply together to give a product of twelve.
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A starter about sums, products, differences, ratios, square and prime numbers.
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Can you find substitutions which will make the word sum correct?
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Each letter stands for a different digit. Can you make sense of this word sum?
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Find calculations which written back to front give the same answer.
Exercises
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23 or Bust
A game involving mental arithmetic and strategy for two players or one player against the computer.
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Addle
Arrange the numbers from 1 to 14 in the spaces to make the sums correct. How fast can you do it?
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Arithmagons
Find the missing numbers in these triangular, self-checking puzzles and discover the wonders of these fascinating structures.
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Basic Addition
A self-marking exercise on addition with increasing levels of difficulty.
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Basic Division
A self-marking exercise on dividing numbers of up to four digits by one or two-digit whole numbers using the formal written methods of short and long division
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Basic Multiplication
A self-marking exercise on multiplication with increasing levels of difficulty.
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Basic Subtraction
A self-marking exercise on subtraction with increasing levels of difficulty.
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Beat The Clock
It is a race against the clock to answer 30 mental arithmetic questions. There are nine levels to choose from.
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BIDMAS
A self marking exercise testing the application of BIDMAS, an acronym describing the order of operations used when evaluating expressions.
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BIDMAS Game
An online interactive game celebrating the order of mathematical operations.
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Bidmaze
Find your way through the maze encountering mathematical operations in the correct order to achieve the given total.
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Brainbox
A puzzle requiring the arrangement of numbers on the function machines to link the given input numbers to the correct output.
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Broken Calculator
Some of the buttons are missing from this calculator. Can you make the totals from 1 to 20?
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Centexpression
Arrange the numbers from 1 to 9 to make an expression with a value of 100.
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Chain Challenge
How fast can you perform all of the given operations without using a calculator?
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Clouds
Can you work out which numbers are hidden behind the clouds in these calculations?
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Column Method for Addition
Practise your addition skills with this exercise that already has the calculation set out for you.
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Column Method for Multiplication
Practise your multiplication skills with this exercise that already has the calculation set out for you.
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Countdown
How close can you get to the target by making a calculation out of the five numbers given?
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Decimal Plus
Practise mental and written methods for adding and subtracting decimal numbers.
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Decimal Times
Practise mental and written methods for multiplying and dividing decimal numbers.
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Digital Darts
An online darts game for one or two players requiring skill, strategy and mental arithmetic.
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Digivide
Arrange the numbers from 1 to 6 in the spaces to make the division calculation correct.
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Discombobulated
A fun game requiring you to find numbers which add up to the target number as quickly as possible.
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Divides Exactly
Find which divisions result in whole number quotients. A mental arithmetic speed challenge.
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Divisibility Tests 2-12
A visual aid designed to be projected in the classroom. Here you can find the quick ways of telling whether a number is exactly divisible by the numbers two to twelve.
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Doubling Quiz
Drag the number cards onto their doubles. No calculators or writing allowed.
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Equatero
Find the expression from a series of guesses and clues.
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Fast Factors
Match the numbers with the answer to the times table. A timed activity to improve instant recall of key table facts.
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Fifteen
A strategy game. Play against the computer to select three numbers that add up to 15.
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Formal Written Methods
Examples of formal written methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
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Four Sum
Arrange the given number tiles to make two 2 digit numbers that add up to the given total.
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Furthermore
A self-marking exercise on counting forwards or backwards in tens, hundreds, thousands etc.
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Heptaphobia Research
Use written methods to answer ten arithmetic questions. When you have finished you will find the results of this amazing research.
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How Many of Each?
Work out how many items were bought from the information given.
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Just In Time
Every 10 seconds a new calculation appears on the screen: A dynamic visual aid.
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Know Your Place
Without a calculator perform some calculations requiring a knowledge of place value.
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Largest Product
A drag and drop activity challenging you to arrange the digits to produce the largest possible product.
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Letter Sums
Use your mental arithmetic skills to add up the values of the letters in these mathematical words.
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Long Division
Practise long division with this exercise that
already has the calculation set out for you.
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Ludicross
Arrange the given numbers on the cross so that the sum of the numbers in both diagonals is the same.
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Magic Square
Each row, column and diagonal should produce the same sum.
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Magic Square Puzzle
Find all of the possible ways of making the magic total from the numbers in this four by four magic square.
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Make 1000
Use the numbers on the strange calculator to make a total of 1000
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Make an expression
Use the digits given to form an expression equivalent to the given total.
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Masad
For each pair of numbers subtract the sum from the product then divide the result by 20 without a calculator.
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Maths Bingo
This application will pick the bingo numbers for you and present each of the numbers as a mathematical expression.
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Missing Operations Exercise
Each box represents a missing operation (add, subtract, multiply or divide). What are they?
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Mixpressions
Arrange the cards to create a valid mathematical statement.
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Multi-step Problems
Solve multi-step problems in contexts, deciding which operations and methods to use and why.
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Multitude
Arrange the given digits to make three numbers such that the third is the product of the first and the second.
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Nine Digits
Arrange the given digits to make three numbers such that two of them add up to the third.
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Nine Nine Nine
Use the digits 1 to 9 to make three 3 digit numbers which add up to 999.
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No Partner
Find which numbers in a given list do not combine with other numbers on the list to make a given sum.
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Numbasics
A daily workout strengthening your ability to do the basic mathematical operations efficiently.
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Number Skills Inventory
A checklist of basic numeracy techniques that every pupil should know.
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Numerate
Earn points by creating equations on the grid in this game of equations.
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Numskull
Interactive, randomly-generated, number-based logic puzzle designed to develop numeracy skills.
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One Digit Only
Find expressions using only one digit which equal the given targets.
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Palindrome Products
Use long multiplication and pattern spotting to fill in the table with palindromic products.
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Partial Pyramids
Calculate the missing numbers in these partly completed pyramid puzzles.
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Partition Clues
Partition numbers in different ways according to the clues given. The higher levels are quite hard!
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Pentadd Quiz
Find the five numbers which when added or multiplied together in pairs to produce the given sums or products.
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Pentransum
Mathematical questions with five possible answers. If you get 20 correct you can add your own question to the database.
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Perfect Magic Square
Arrange the sixteen numbers on the four by four grid so that groups of four numbers in a pattern add up to the same total.
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Pick Up Sticks
If you were to pick up the sticks from this pile so that you were always removing the top stick what calculation would you create?
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Plane Numbers
Arrange numbers on the plane shaped grid to produce the given totals
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Plus
A number arranging puzzle with seven levels of challenge.
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Powten
Practise multiplying and dividing by powers of ten without using a calculator.
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Pyramid Puzzle
Numbers in the bricks are found by adding the two bricks immediately below together. Can you achieve the given target?
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Quick
Can you multiply a number by 1001 in your head? This exercise provides practice in this and other similar challenges.
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Quickulations
A mental arithmetic visual aid that displays random calculations then after a few seconds displays the answers.
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Remainder Race
A game involving chance and choice requiring an ability to calculate the remainder when a two digit number is divided by a single digit number.
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Roman Numerals Quiz
This online, self marking quiz tests your ability to convert Roman numerals.
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Short Division
Practise short division with this exercise that
already has the calculation set out for you.
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Six Discrimination
The six button has dropped off! How could these calculations be done using this calculator?
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Six Keys
Use just six keys on your calculator to make a given total. How many different ways can it be done?
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Some Sums and Products
Number puzzles involving adding, multiplying and problem solving
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Spinsum
Arrange the numbers on the squares so that the totals along each line of three squares are equal.
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Stamp Sticking
Drag stamps onto the envelopes to make the exact postage as shown at the top left of each envelope.
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Standard Form
Test your understanding of standard form (scientific notation) with this self-marking quiz.
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Stepwise Sums
Arrange the numbers one to nine on the stairs to obtain the given sums.
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Suko Sujiko
Interactive number-based logic puzzles similar to those featuring in daily newspapers.
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Sum Game
A game against the clock to find the numbers which add up to the target number.
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Sum of Three Palindromes
Every whole number can be expressed as the sum of three palindromic numbers like this...
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TablesMaster
How fast can you answer times table questions? This activity provides feedback to help you improve.
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The Miller's Puzzle
This is an interactive version of the puzzle described by Henry Ernest Dudeney in The Canterbury Puzzles
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Think of a Number
Ten students think of a number then perform various operations on that number. You have to find what the original numbers were.
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Times Tables
A collection of activities to help you learn your times tables in only 5 days.
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Tools
In how many different ways can the numbers be arranged to give the same totals?
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Triplets
Find as many sets of three of the available numbers as possible which add up to the given total.
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Tug of War
A game for two players or teams testing their speedy reactions to mental arithmetic questions.
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Unmagic Square
Like the magic square but all of the totals should be different.
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Which Operation?
Decide which mathematical operation is required then use it to find the answers.
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Word Sums Guide
A step by step guide showing how to solve a Word Sum where each letter stands for a different digit.
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Yohaku Puzzles
Fill in the blank spaces so that the cells give the sum or the product shown in each row and column.
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Zygo
Interactive, randomly-generated, number-based logic puzzle designed to develop numeracy skills.
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