Testimonials
Viviana
8th gr. multiple-time winner​
Number Tournament has helped me use numbers creatively and strategically. When I first started out, I didn’t know how to use a lot of the functions. However, as the years passed, I got more used to the different combinations I could use, and understanding how I could manipulate some of them to get the number I needed. I’ve met some great friends as well, and have paired up with the same two girls for the past 3-4 years, becoming people that I’m close with. Even though it was hard at the start, the more and more I did it, the more fun it got and I looked forward to practicing for and attending the competition each year. It’s overall a really good way to learn how to use numbers differently than you would think, and exercise critical thinking and problem solving skills!
Jeremy
5th gr multiple-time winner​
The Number Tournament is a very fun competition in which you need to think of creative methods to turn numbers to other numbers. It improves your critical thinking and number theory. It can also lead to higher math achievement and higher problem solving skills. Overall, I think it is a very fun and competitive competition.
Serina
A dedicated parent​
We really enjoyed the number tournament. It was a very fun way to get kids to be engaged with learning more about math and problem solving. I would highly recommend it to other students and friends to sign up their own kids.
Lucas
4th gr first timer and winner​
Number tournament is a very fun, fast competition. You need to think of creative methods that reach the goal.It made my critical thinking faster.
GAME EXAMPLES
Hit the Target
Use 9, 2, 11, and 7 to hit the target 45. Four students come up with these possible solutions in the 90 seconds allotted.
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(11+7) x 2 + 9 = 45 (hits the target and scores 10 points)
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(9+7) x 2 +11 = 43 (scores 8 points)
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7 * 9 - 11 - 2 = 50 (scores 5 points)
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T(9) * sqrt(11-7)/2 = 45, where T(n) indicates the nth triangular number (hits the target and scores 10 points)
24 Game
Use 5, 3, 6, 6 to make exactly 24. Four students come up with these possible solutions in the 90 seconds allotted.
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(6+6) x (5-3) = 24
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5! / (3! - 6/6) = 24
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sqrt(6 x 6) x 5 - 3! = 24
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(6+3-5) * 6 = 24
All of these solutions score 10 points. ​
SMASH
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Your teammate sprints and gets the numbers 4, 7, and 2. Your team submits 4 x 2 - 7 = 1.
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Then the teammate gets Ace, 3, and 9. You solve to get 9/3-1 = 2.
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Next, you get 8, 8, 2; your team is stuck so you sprint back to get a new set of numbers.
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You get 6, 10, 8, and find that (10+8)/6 = 3 works.
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Repeat this process until time runs out!