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.
Rules
This year, Number Tournament will be hosted in person. Once time is up, participants cannot modify their answers. Participants will be graded by volunteers after the game.
​
Game Rules
Specific rules and details about each game can be viewed through the Games Page.
​
​
​
​
Tiebreaker
​​
In the rare case of a tie, whether it be between individuals or teams, they will be paired up against each other, and will play the target game for three minutes. Whichever side comes up with the most methods of hitting the target will win. In the case of multiple ties, each tiebreaker will eliminate one side, until there is one champion left.
​
​
The Fine Print
​
-
In all games, all given numbers must be used once and only once.
-
Numbers cannot be concatenated to form a multi-digit number. For example, you cannot put together 1 and 2 to make 12.
-
Besides + - x / and (), other well-known functions are also allowed, such as exponent, root, factorial, double factorial, triangular numbers... the sky is the limit! However, defining and using your own functions is disallowed. For example, defining f(x) = 16 with a target of 16 is illegal, for obvious reasons.
-
Triangle numbers and rectangle numbers are allowed. Other shape functions such as pentagon numbers are not.
-
When using exponents or similar functions which take multiple inputs, all function inputs must be either one of the provided numbers or be a result of an expression which follows the above rule.
-
Use 1, 3, 4, 5 to make 24: 5² - 1 x (4 - 3) (Invalid, since 2 is used as an exponent)
-
Use 2, 3, 4, 6 to make 18: 4 ^ (6 / 3) + 2 (Valid)
-
Use 1, 2, 3, 4 to make 5: 4C3 + 2 - 1 (Valid, since C is the well-known choose function, giving 4C3=4)
-
-
Note that square roots can be done with or without a two. However, cube roots and further roots require the number on upper left of the radical sign.
-
Numbers can be written as a subscript (ex. triangular number) or a superscript (ex. exponent).
-
Dots used to indicate decimals, "-" in front of a number to turn it negative and overline bars used to indicate repeating decimals do not count as functions, and are disallowed.
-
Order of operations is strictly enforced! If you are unsure, use parentheses.
-
If the commutative and associative properties of a function are used to write an expression in two different ways, both methods do not count as distinct. For example, 1 + 2 and 2 + 1 would count as the same method, and (3 x 4) / 2 and (3 / 2) x 4 would also count as the same method. You need to use other operations or other functions to create distinct methods.
-
Functions or recursive functions that take one input and result in the same value does NOT count as another way. Ex. 1 + 2, √(1) + 2, 1 + 2! and 1 + (2!)! do not count as distinct methods since the square root and factorial do not change the input; but 5 x 1 and 5 ÷ 1 count as distinct methods because different operations are used.
-
The modulo(remainder) operation "mod" or "%" is allowed, but to avoid being abused, it can only be used when the quotient is at least 1. Ex 7 mod 5 = 2 and 9 % 4 = 1 are allowed but 6 mod T4 = 6 is not allowed because it is just a casual way to drop the 4.
-
Ceiling and floor functions are not allowed.
-
Interchanging the minuend and subtrahend while employing absolute value does not constitute an alternate method.