Number Sense

“Gravity is a contributing factor in nearly 73 percent of all accidents involving falling objects.” – Dave Barry

Here’s another Number Sense puzzles that I first introduced in the December Holiday Puzzles. This puzzle deals with factors of the whole numbers.  The puzzles are geared for younger puzzlers to help them improve their number sense. There are 8 statements each corresponding to a number. You have to use the numbers 0 through 9 once and only once to fill in the correct number for each statement. You will need to use and develop your deductive problem solving skills in order to correctly place the numbers. Since there are only 8 answers and 10 numbers (0 through 9), some of the answers will require two digits.

I created an interactive puzzle that will automatically check your answers and provide feedback. I also created a pdf file that can be used in classrooms or with pencils for those so inclined. The goal is to have fun and challenge yourself.

I hope you enjoy this puzzle. Good luck and pass it onto others who may enjoy them!  If you get stuck and would like the solutions, use the “Contact Us” button and we will reply.  Also, click “Like” below if you like it!

In order to use the interactive puzzle, you need to have adobe flash enabled.

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.” – Albert Einstein

Here’s a new original puzzle that goes along with many of my Holiday puzzles (Even’s Only, Odd’s Only, Prime’s Only).  In the same theme, this is another great challenge for everyone. It emphasizes combining the first five Fibonacci numbers (1,2,3,5 and 8) with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using the rules of order of operations. 

The Fibonacci numbers are a sequence of numbers in which the next number can be generated by adding the two previous numbers.  The sequence starts with two 1’s or 1,1.  The next number is 2 (or 1+1) making the sequence 1,1,2.  The next number is 3 (or 1+2) making the sequence 1,1,2,3.  Following this pattern, the sequence continues as 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21 and so on as it continues forever.

The rules of the puzzle are simple:

1. Use only the numbers 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8

2. Use each number once and only once

3. Use any of + – x / to combine the numbers

4. Use parenthesis () as desired

5. Following rules 1-4, make the numbers 0-9

For example, “10” can be made as “8 + 5 – 3 x (2 – 1)”. In this example, each number (1,2,3,5,8) was used once and only once as required. There are other ways to make “10” which would also work.

I put together a little interactive program for this puzzle. You can enter your answers for each number and then select check. Your answers will be scored and a response provided (e.g. “got it!” or “need to use 1,2,3,5 and 8″). Give it a try and let me know what you think. Click here for a pdf file.

I hope you enjoy this puzzle. Good luck and pass it onto others who may enjoy them!  If you get stuck and would like the solutions, use the “Contact Us” button and we will reply.

In order to use the interactive puzzle, you need to have adobe flash enabled.

“Magic is believing in yourself. If you can do that, you can make anything happen.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Today’s puzzle is an original puzzle – Number Circuits.  Initially I named these puzzles Magic Puzzles.  However, when Mindware agreed to publish the puzzles, I agreed to change the name.  I currently have two books of different levels of difficulty available, conveniently named Number Circuits Level A (easier) and Number Circuits Level B (harder), both of which are available on Mindware.  As with many puzzles, the concept is very straight-forward and getting an answer is very easy, but getting the correct answer is a bit more challenging. 

Below is an interactive puzzle sampler with six puzzles.  These are drag-and-drop puzzles in which you can select a number in a yellow circle (left click and hold) and drag to an empty circle (move the mouse and release left click).  The number should “snap” to the nearest empty circle (assuming it’s close enough).   Each puzzle contains directions and there is a general help button that provides further information.  Good luck!   Click here to request a pdf version of the puzzle.

Good Luck and pass the puzzles onto others who may enjoy them! Tomorrow, Wednesday the 24th, will be the last day of my Holiday Puzzles.  I promise it will be a fun puzzle that everyone will be able to try!

In order to use the interactive puzzle, you need to have adobe flash enabled.

“Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out” – John Wooden

Here’s a new original puzzle that goes along with the Thursday’s puzzles from the past two weeks, Even’s Only and Odd’s Only.  In the same theme, this is another great challenge for everyone. It emphasizes combining the first four prime numbers (2,3,5 and 7) with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using the rules of order of operations.  Many falsely believe that 1 is a prime, but sadly it is not (how lonely to be 1 – excluded even from the primes).

The rules are simple:

1. Use only the numbers 2, 3, 5 and 7

2. Use each number once and only once

3. Use any of + – x / to combine the numbers

4. Use parenthesis () as desired

5. Following rules 1-4, make the numbers 0-9

For example, “10” can be made as “5 x 3 – 7 + 2″. In this example, each number (2,3,5,7) was used once and only once as required. There are other ways to make “10” which would also work.

I put together a little interactive program for this puzzle. You can enter your answers for each number and then select check. Your answers will be scored and a response provided (e.g. “got it!” or “need to use 2,3,5 and 7″). Give it a try and let me know what you think. Click here for a pdf file.

I hope you enjoy this puzzle. Good luck and pass it onto others who may enjoy them!

In order to use the interactive puzzle, you need to have adobe flash enabled.

“You don’t have to be a mathematician to have a feel for numbers.” – John Forbes Nash, Jr.

Today’s puzzle is another original puzzle that I’ve named What Goes Where Puzzles.  It’s all about number sense.  For this puzzle, you need to  understand even and odd numbers as well as multiples (of 3 only).  I developed these puzzles to assist children in developing their number sense.

The puzzles are pretty straightforward.  You need to put the numbers 1 through 9 into the empty circles using the hints provided.  It’s important to use the numbers (1 through 9) once and only once.  Once you have filled in each circle with a number from 1 through 9, check by reviewing each hint to ensure your answers match.

Here’s today’s puzzle and good luck!


I love these puzzles, as they develop number sense while encouraging reading, understanding and following directions.  I wrote a book of 100 What Goes Where Puzzles available on Amazon.com – please take a look and pass this onto others. 

Good Luck and pass the puzzles onto others who may enjoy them!