Number Grids
Investigate the properties of number with these interactive number grids.
Knowing Numbers
Read, write, order and compare numbers from one to twenty.
Number Jigsaws
Online, interactive jigsaw puzzles of grids of numbers.
Times Tables
A collection of activities to help you learn your times tables in only 5 days.
Prime Numbers Jigsaw
Interactive jigsaw puzzles of different types of grids containing prime numbers.
Factor Trees
Create factor trees to find the prime factors of the given numbers.
Consecutive Numbers
Find the consective numbers that are added or multiplied to give the given totals
Roman Numerals Jigsaw
An online interactive jigsaw puzzle of a grid of Roman numerals.
Square Pairs Game
A game for two players who take turns to select two numbers that add up to a square number.
Fizz Buzzer
The digital version of the popular fizz buzz game. Press the buzzers if they are factors of the counter.
Equatero
Find the expression from a series of guesses and clues.
Prime Labyrinth
Find the path to the centre of the labyrinth by moving along the prime numbers.
Mix and Math
Determine the nature of adding, subtracting and multiplying numbers with specific properties.
Missing Terms
Can you work out which numbers are missing from these number sequences?
Double Take
Merge two tiles into one tile to make a double. What is the largest double you can make?
Pick The Primes
Pick the prime fruit from the tree as quickly as possible. Practise to improve your personal best time.
Pairs 240
Find the pairs of numbers that multiply together to give a product of 240 in this collection of matching games.
Twelve Days
How many gifts did my true love send to me according to the traditional Christmas song 'Twelve Days of Christmas'.
HCF and LCM
Practise finding the highest common factor (H.C.F), sometimes called the greatest common divisor, and the lowest common multiple (L.C.M) of two numbers.
Don't Shoot The Square
You will need to be quick on the draw to shoot all of the numbers except the square numbers.
Leapfrog
An investigation of the minimum number of moves required to make the blue and green frogs swap places.
Venn Diagram
Place each of the numbers 1 to 16 on the correct regions on the Venn diagram.
No Partner
Find which numbers in a given list do not combine with other numbers on the list to make a given sum.
Dump-A-Dice Race
An online board game for two players involving prime and square numbers and making choices.
Times Square
Practise your times tables with this self-checking multiplication grid.
Dice Net Challenge
Drag the numbers onto the net so that when it is folded to form a cube numbers on opposite faces add up to prime numbers.
Watsadoo
Rotate the cogs to catch the flying numbers in the correct sections.
Number Skills Inventory
A checklist of basic numeracy techniques that every pupil should know.
Divisibility Test
Practise using the quick ways to spot whether a number is divisible by the digits two to nine.
Lemon Law
Change the numbers on the apples so that the number on the lemon is the given total.
Prime Pairs Game
A game for two players who take turns to select two numbers that add up to a prime number.
Plane Numbers
Arrange numbers on the plane shaped grid to produce the given totals
River Crossing
The traditional River Crossing challenge. Can you do it in the smallest number of moves?
Goal Products
Arrange the numbered footballs on the goal posts to make three, 3-number products that are all the same.
Powten
Practise multiplying and dividing by powers of ten without using a calculator.
Roman Numerals Quiz
This online, self marking quiz tests your ability to convert Roman numerals.
Scallywags and Scoundrels
Arrange the scallywags and scoundrels on the chairs so that the numbers of any two sitting next to each other add up to a prime number.
Three Prime Sum
A self-marking challenge to write each of the given numbers as the sum of three prime numbers.
Pandigital Numbers
An exercise exploring the properties of nine-digit numbers containing each of the digits 1 to 9.
Thai Numbers Jigsaw
An online interactive jigsaw puzzle of a grid of Thai number symbols.
Suko Sujiko
Interactive number-based logic puzzles similar to those featuring in daily newspapers.
Prison Cell Problem
A number patterns investigation involving prisoners and prison guards.
Chinese Numbers Jigsaw
An online interactive jigsaw puzzle of a grid of Chinese number symbols.
Product Square
Arrange the given numbers in a three by three grid to obtain the diagonal, row and column products.
What Are They?
An online exercise about sums, products, differences, ratios, square and prime numbers.
Hot Numbers
Move the numbered cards to form five 2-digit numbers which obey the given rules. A ten-stage numeracy challenge.
Satisfy
Place the nine numbers in the table so they obey the row and column headings about the properties of the numbers.
Square and Even
Arrange the numbers on the cards so that each of the three digit numbers formed horizontally are square numbers and each of the three digit numbers formed vertically are even.
Magic Square Puzzle
Find all of the possible ways of making the magic total from the numbers in this four by four magic square.
Three Ways
Find three different ways of multiplying four different digits together to get the given target number. There are nine levels for this online challenge.
Prime Square
Drag the numbers into the red cells so that the sum of the three numbers in each row and each column is a prime number.
Pascal's Triangle
Get to know this famous number pattern with some revealing learning activities
Satisfaction
This is quite a challenging number grouping puzzle requiring a knowledge of prime, square and triangular numbers.
Binary Numbers
Learn how to convert numbers from decimal to binary and from binary to decimal.
Nim
Nim is a mathematical game of strategy in which two players take turns removing objects from groups of objects.
Delightfully Divisible
Arrange the digits one to nine to make a number which is divisible in the way described.
Sieve of Eratosthenes
A self checking, interactive version of the Sieve of Eratosthenes method of finding prime numbers.
Number Systems
Place the numbers in the correct sets in this concentric circles Venn diagram.
Steps
Investigate the numbers associated with this growing sequence of steps made from Multilink cubes.
Lamp Posts
What is the greatest number of lamp posts that would be needed for a strange village with only straight roads?
Maths Mind Reader
Investigate this amazing mind reading performance based on simple mathematical principles.
lnvestigating stamps
How many different postage amounts can you make with the given stamps?
Leapfrog
An investigation of the minimum number of moves required to make the blue and green frogs swap places.
Calendar Maths Investigation
Investigate the connection between the numbers in a T shape drawn on this month's calendar.
Palindromic numbers
How many steps does each number take to become palandromic?
Number Stairs
Find the relationships between the numbers in the stairs on different size grids.
Trapezia
Which numbers can be represented by groups of circles arranged in the shape of a trapezium?
Digit Sums and Multiples
Investigate numbers which are multiples of the sum of their digits.
Snooker Investigation
Investigate a special snooker table with only four pockets. Which pocket will the ball fall into for various sized snooker tables?
Handshakes
If everyone in this room shook hands with each other, how many handshakes would there be?
Decimal Products
Find two decimal numbers that add up to exactly one. What is the product of these two decimals?
This is the main Transum help video on Number.
Prime Numbers Video
A reminder of what prime numbers and composite numbers are.
Finding Prime Factors
A straight forward explanation from SLEP
Square Tricks
Math Tricks for Fast Calculation - How to square numbers between 10 and 20 without memorisation.
BIDMAS Misconception
This Maths problem went viral on Twitter and there has been debate about the answer. Presh explains why one interpretation is considered correct.
Binary and The Tower of Hanoi
A video showing how binary counting can solve the Tower of Hanoi puzzle.
Problems with Zero
Dividing by zero, zero divided by zero and zero to the power of zero - all pose problems!
Log Tables
Logarithms and log tables - what Transum used before calculators! A Numberphile video.
Number Grids
Investigate the properties of number with these interactive number grids.
Number Line
This number line visual aid is designed to be projected onto a whiteboard for whole class exposition.
Formal Written Methods
Examples of formal written methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Counter
A dynamic visual aid that counts! Choose the first term, common difference and the speed
Maths Mind Reader
Investigate this amazing mind reading performance based on simple mathematical principles.
Number Rhyme
A poem about the numbers one to nine. Just for fun can you make up a last line for each verse?
HCF and LCM Calculator
A demonstration of how to find the highest common factor (HCF or GCD) and the lowest common multiple (LCM) of two numbers.
Divisibility Tests 2-12
A visual aid designed to be projected in the classroom. Here you can find the quick ways of telling whether a number is exactly divisible by the numbers two to twelve.
Playing Card Maths
Imagine you are on a desert island with nothing but a pack of playing cards. Do you have to stop learning mathematics?
Pesto
Students classify numbers randomly appearing on the screen by holding up cards
Prison Cell Problem
A number patterns investigation involving prisoners and prison guards.
Hot Number Challenges
These hot numbers challenges are for students with no access to a computer and are presented in a form suitable to be projected onto a whiteboard in front of a class.
Pascal's Patterns
See the number patterns on Pascal's Triangle with this colourful, interactive application.
Satisfaction
This is quite a challenging number grouping puzzle requiring a knowledge of prime, square and triangular numbers.
Binary Lights
Represent binary numbers with a row of ligts which can be turned on or off.
Sieve of Eratosthenes
A self checking, interactive version of the Sieve of Eratosthenes method of finding prime numbers.
A Very Strange Game
Four different actions depending on the number which appears.
Abundant Buses
A game based around the concept of factors and abundant numbers.
Add 'em
Add up a sequence of consecutive numbers. Can you find a quick way to do it?
All The Nines
Add up all the multiples of nine in an elegant way.
Ancient Mysteries
This activity requires students to memorise fifteen numbers in a three by five grid.
Aunt Sophie's Post Office
Work out the number of stamps needed to post a parcel.
Birthday Clues
Work out the date Will was born by answering some number questions.
Can You Decide?
Recognise odd, even, square, prime and triangular numbers.
Christmas Bells
If all the bells ring together at noon, at what time will they next all ring together? This problem requires the use of LCM.
Christmas Eve
Is there a pattern in the number of palindromic numbers to be found less than powers of 10?
ClockEquate
Can you use the digits on the left of this clock along with any mathematical operations to equal the digits on the right?
Coins in Envelopes
Fifteen pennies are placed in four envelopes and the envelopes are sealed. It is possible to pay someone any amount from 1p to 15p by giving them one or more envelopes.
Consecutive Squares
What do you notice about the difference between the squares of consecutive numbers?
Dancing
Work out how many people were at the dance from the clues given.
Dice Nets
Determine whether the given nets would fold to produce a dice.
Dimidiate
Arrange the digits from 1 to 9 in alphabetical order. How many times can this number be halved?
Divided Age
How old is a person if when her age is divided by certain numbers, the calculator display ending are as shown.
Double Trouble
Begin with one, double it, double it again and so on. How many numbers in this sequence can you write down before the register has been called?
Factuples
Spot the factors and the multiples amongst the numbers in the grid.
Flabbergasted
If each number in a sequence must be a factor or multiple of the previous number what is the longest sequence that can be made from the given numbers?
Flowchart
Use the flowchart to generate a sequence of numbers. Which number will reach 1 the fastest?
Four Factors
Find four single digit numbers that multiply together to give 120. How many different ways are there of answering this question?
Four Problems
For mathematical questions to get everyone thinking at the beginning of the lesson.
Halve it
Start with 512. Halve it to get 256. Halve it to get 128. Continue as far as possible.
Handshakes
If all the students in this room shook hands with each other, how many handshakes would there be altogether?
Hot Numbers
Move the numbered cards to form five 2 digit numbers which are all multiples of three.
Hotel Digital
A puzzle about the lifts in a hotel which serve floors based on the day of the week.
House Numbers
The numbers on five houses next to each other add up to 70. What are those five numbers?
Inbetween Table
Write down as many multiples of 3.5 as possible in 3.5 minutes.
Last Day
The 31st of December is the last day of the year. What mathematical lasts do you know?
Leap Year
A question about the birthdays of a child born on the 29th February.
Letters in a Number
Questions about the number of letters in numbers.
Meta Products
Which numbers when multiplied by the number of letters in the word(s) of the number give square numbers?
Missing Terms
Find the missing terms from these linear sequences.
Name Again
Work out what the nth letter will be in a recurring pattern of letters in a person's name
Negative Numbers
Perform calculations involving negative numbers
No Partner
Find which numbers in a given list do not combine with other numbers on the list to make a given sum.
Number Riddles
Can you work out the numbers from the given clues.
Numbers in words
Write out in words some numbers writen as digits (optional pirate theme)
Odd One Out
From the numbers given, find the one that is the odd one out.
Only One Number
Find other numbers that can be changed to 1 on a calculator using only the 4 key and any operation.
Pears Make Squares
Find three numbers such that each pair of numbers adds up to a square number.
Perfect Numbers
Six is a perfect number as it is the sum of its factors. Can you find any other perfect numbers?
Plane Numbers
Arrange numbers on the plane shaped grid to produce the given totals
Pyramid Puzzle
Arrange numbers at the bottom of the pyramid which will give the largest total at the top.
Register
When the register is called answer with a multiple of 7.
Ropey Snowballs
Arrange the numbers on the snowballs so that no two consecutive numbers are directly connected by rope.
Satisfaction
Rearrange the numbers, row and column headings so that this table is mathematically correct.
Scaramouche
Can you work out from the five clues given what the mystery number is?
Seeing Squares
How many square numbers can be found in the grid of digits.
Sign Sequences
Continue the sequences if you can work out the rule.
Simple Nim
The classic game of Nim played with a group of pens and pencils. The game can be extended to the multi-pile version.
Small Satisfaction
Arrange the digits one to nine in the grid so that they obey the row and column headings.
Square and Even
Arrange the numbers on the cards so that each of the three digit numbers formed horizontally are square numbers and each of the three digit numbers formed vertically are even.
Square Angles
Find a trapezium, a triangle and a quadrilateral where all of the angles are square numbers.
Square Christmas Tree
Draw a picture of a Christmas tree using only square numbers.
Square Pairs
Arrange the numbered trees so that adjacent sums are square numbers.
Square Sequence
Write out as many square numbers as possible in 4 minutes.
Squigits
A challenge to find numbers which have each of their digits as square numbers.
The Power of Christmas
Find a power of 2 and a power of 3 that are consecutive numbers.
The story of ...
Be creative and come up with as many facts about a number as you can think of.
Tindice
How can you put the dice into the tins so that there is an odd number of dice in each tin?
Twelve Days
A Maths puzzle based on the 12 Days of Christmas song.
Two Numbers
Find the two numbers whose sum and product are given.
Upside Number
Work out the phone number from the clues given.
Venn Diagram
Arrange numbers on the Venn Diagram according to their properties.
What are they?
A starter about sums, products, differences, ratios, square and prime numbers.
145 items are currently in this category.
Teachers might find the complete Number Topic List useful.
Spotting patterns is an important skill in many areas of life. The world of numbers contains many fascinating patterns and understanding them enables better problem solving strategies. From seeing patterns in the multiples of numbers shaded in a hundred square to spotting the recurring sequences of digits in decimal numbers there is a great deal for pupils to be introduced to.
This topic includes even, odd, prime, triangular, perfect, abundant, square and cube numbers. It uses factors and multiples to find solutions to real life problems and encourages number connections to be investigated for pleasure. There are a lot of puzzles, challenges and games too.
See also the Mental Methods topic and our Number Skills Inventory.
