Math games can help reinforce important concepts.
Math logic games are integral to building higher order thinking skills. Lower order thinking skills involve knowledge, comprehension and application. In mathematics this includes reciting memorized facts, formulas and procedures. Higher order thinking skills involve analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Students need higher order thinking skills to succeed in their college and career. Math square games exercise higher order thinking skills and engage students through strategy, logic and number sense.
Magic Square
A basic magic square consists of three rows and three columns. Play this game using pencil and paper. To solve the magic square, arrange the numbers one through nine in the cells such that the sum of the rows, columns and diagonals each equal 15. There are several solutions for the magic square. Increase the difficulty level by playing four-by-four and five-by-five magic squares.
An example of a three-by-three magic square is shown below:
8 1 6
3 5 7
4 9 2
The first row, "8 + 1 + 6 = 15." The second row, "3 + 5 + 7 = 15." The third row, "4 + 9 + 2 = 15." The first column, "8 + 3 + 4 = 15." The second column, "1 + 5 + 9 = 15." The third column, "6 + 7 + 2 = 15." The diagonals are "8 + 5 + 2 = 15" and "4 + 5 + 6 = 15."
15 Cells
The "15 Cells Game" consists of four columns and four rows. Each cell contains one number. Place numbers one through 15 randomly in the four-by-four square. The object is to sort the numbers into ascending order only by sliding the small cells around the four-by-four square. One empty cell remains to allow you to slide the cells around. Do not remove a cell from the game. This game is available at educational and toy stores. You can also find free, interactive versions on the Internet.
Sudoku Math
"Sudoku" consists of nine three-by-three sub-squares that compose a larger square. In mathematics, the Latin Square is the same as the Sudoku math square. For each sub-square you must fill in the cells using numbers one through nine. You must follow two conditions. First, the numbers in a row or column can't repeat. Second, the numbers in each three-by-three square can't repeat.
According to the Hammond Museum, nearly 100 million people worldwide play Sudoku. Paper and pencil versions of Sudoku are available at bookstores. Free, interactive online versions are also available.
Tags: order thinking, order thinking skills, thinking skills, magic square, numbers through