The Amazing Equation Race

What You Need:

• Scrap paper
• Pencils
• White paper
• Black markers
• Blue and red markers (optional)

What You Do:

1. Cut 3 sheets of paper into 12 strips. On each set of stips, write the following equations in black marker:

n + 2

n + 3

n + 4

n + 5

Cut 4 sheets of paper into 30 playing cards. On 7 of the cards, write the following:

SUBTRACT 1

SUBTRACT 3

SUBTRACT 5

SUBTRACT 7

ADD 2

ADD 4

ADD 10

On each of the remaining playing cards, write a value for n (the variable), up to 10.

For example:

n = 1 n = 2

n = 5 n = 4

n = 7 n = 6

2. When you are ready to begin the game, each player should get scrap paper, a pencil and 4 equation strips. Shuffle the playing cards and put them face down on the table.

3. Player 1 begins by picking the top card in the deck. If it is a variable, player 1 fills in the value for n on his first equation strip (solve on scrap paper).

For example:

equation strip: n + 2

player picks n = 5

5 + 2 = 7

Player 1 now has 7 points

If a player pulls an ADD or SUBTRACT card, he adds or subtracts the amount from his points.

The winner is the first player to reach 25 points.

Note: If your fifth grader’s score drops below zero, you may have to help her add and subtract negative numbers.

Extension: Save the game for the future when your child learns to solve equations with negative numbers. Just put a negative sign in front of some of the numbers on the playing cards.