Arithmetic

There are 366 different Starters of The Day, many to choose from. You will find below some starters on the topic of Arithmetic. A lesson starter does not have to be on the same topic as the main part of the lesson or the topic of the previous lesson. It is often very useful to revise or explore other concepts by using a starter based on a totally different area of Mathematics.

Main Page

Arithmetic Starters:

5.5 Times Table

Write out the 5.5 times table as far as possible.

A Thousand and One

Develop a quick way of mentally multiplying any number by 1001.

Abundant Buses

A game based around the concept of factors and abundant numbers.

Add Quickulations

Calculations appear on the screen every few seconds. This mental arithmetic starter provides pace to the start of the Maths lesson.

Addle

Arrange the numbers 1 to 14 in the circles so that the sums are correct.

All for 100

Can you write an expression for 100 which uses all the digits 1 to 9?

All The Nines

Add up all the multiples of nine in an elegant way.

Arithmagons

This lesson starter requires pupils to find the missing numbers in this partly completed arithmagon puzzle.

Aunt Sophie's Post Office

Work out the number of stamps needed to post a parcel.

Balloon Bursting Buttons

Use only the 1, 5 and 0 keys on a calculator to make given totals.

Big Order

Estimate or calculate then put the large numbers in order of size.

Blots

The calculations are obscured by ink blots. What do you think the calculations would look like if there were no blots?

Broken Calculator (2 and 3)

Make the numbers 1 to 10 using only the keys on the broken calculator.

Broken Calculator (3 and 4)

Some keys are missing from this calculator. Just how useful is it?

Broken Calculator (4 and 5)

Which numbers can be made with the buttons which have not yet dropped off this calculator?

Calc-A-Hundred

A game for two players requiring a calculator and thinking skills.

Calculator Nim

A game in which players take turns to add a single-digit number to what is already in the calculator. The winner is the player who makes the display show 30.

ClockEquate

Can you use the digits on the left of this clock along with any mathematical operations to equal the digits on the right?

Clouds

Some calculations are partly obscured. Work out what those calculations might be.

Consecutive

Three consecutive numbers multiplied together give a given product. Pupils are asked to figure out what the numbers are.

Consecy Brothers

Which three consecutive numbers multiplied together give the given answer.

Countdown

How close can you get to the target by making a calculation from the five numbers given?

Cracked Clock

How did the clock break if the numbers on each of the pieces added up to the same total?

Cracker Joke

Answer the mental arithmetic questions then convert the answers to letters to find the joke.

Cunning Code

Decode the message by doing the calculations given for each letter.

Digivide

Arrange the digits 1 to 6 to make a three digit number divided by a two digit number giving a one digit answer.

Dimidiate

Arrange the digits from 1 to 9 in alphabetical order. How many times can this number be halved?

Division Quickulations

Random division calculations appear on screen every few seconds.

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?

Eleventh of the Eleventh

Practise multiplying and dividing by eleven in your head.

Faulty Button

Find out which of the calculator keys is faulty from the given information. A mathematical puzzle requiring good problem solving strategies.

Firewords

Find words which cost 100p if A costs 1p, B costs 2p etc

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?

Fly Catching

Find which whole number divided by another whole number gives the answer: 1.090909091

For Starters

Four problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication and division

For Thought

Add up the answers to the four real life questions.

Four Gone

An activity involving a broken calculator which is missing the four button. Can you evaluate the given expressions without using the four?

Four Problems

For mathematical questions to get everyone thinking at the beginning of the lesson.

Four to Seven

Which of the numbers from one to twenty can you make with the digits 4, 5, 6 and 7?

Four's Independence

A clock face containing only the number 4. Can you make a clock face containing any other single number?

Half a Dozen

Six calculations to complete without a calculator.

Half a Pound

If A costs 1p, B costs 2p, etc can you find a word which costs exactly 50p?

Half and Half

Start with 100. Halve it to get 50. Halve that to get 25. Continue as far as possible.

Halve it

Start with 512. Halve it to get 256. Halve it to get 128. Continue as far as possible.

Happy Numbers

To find out whether a number is happy or not, square each of its digits, add the answers and repeat. If you end up with 1 the number is happy! How many other happy numbers can you find?

How Do You Do?

A little lateral thinking will help you solve this number puzzle.

How many of Each?

Pens cost 12p each, Pencils cost 9p each, Richard spent 72p altogether. How many pens and pencils did he buy?

Inbetween Table

Write down as many multiples of 3.5 as possible in 3.5 minutes.

Jeopardy

Loosely based on the famous television show, how many questions cn you come up with for a given answer?

Justundera Quid

Find a word whose letters would cost exactly ninety nine pence.

Khmer's Homework

Check a student's homework. If you find any of the answers are wrong write down a sentence or two explaining what he did wrong.

Know Weigh

Find the weight of one cuboid (by division) of each colour then add your answers together.

Letter Clue Calculations

Work out what the calculations might be from the letter clues.

Maggots

Do as many of the calculations as possible before the maggots infest!

Magic Square

Arrange the numbers 1 to 9 in a 3 by 3 grid to form a magic square.

May Day

Add together the dates of all the Thursdays in May this year. Which day sum is largest?

Mental Maths Quiz

A traditional twenty question mental arithmetic test presented as a PowerPoint presentation.

Mental Maths Test

The starter is a PowerPoint file containing a twenty question mental arithmetic test. It will advance from one question to the next automatically.

Meta Products

Which numbers when multiplied by the number of letters in the word(s) of the number give square numbers?

Mirror Maths

The bottom half of some symmetrical calculations are shown above. Can you work out the answers?

Missing digits

Find which digits are missing from the randomly generated calculations.

Missing Pound

A puzzle about a restaurant bill. Exactly where did the missing pound go?

Ms Tayke

How many times can you take one number from another?

Multi-Toil Panic

Copy and complete the multiplication grid. The higher levels include negative numbers.

Multiply Quickulations

Random multiplications appear on screen every few seconds.

Nine Digit Sum

Arrange the digits one to nine to make a correct addition calculation.

Nine Nine Nine

Arrange the numbers 1-9 to make three 3 digit numbers that add up to 999.

No Partner

Find which numbers in a given list do not combine with other numbers on the list to make a given sum.

Noodlewhack

Divide one whole number by another on your calculator. If the answer has one digit repeated but no other digits you have a Noodlewhack.

On The Double

Double the numbers given in the table.

One Digit 100

How many ways can you write an expression for 100 which only uses the same digit repeated and any operations?

Only One Number

Find other numbers that can be changed to 1 on a calculator using only the 4 key and any operation.

Outnumbered

Which group of four numbers, arranged in a square, has the largest total?

Pears Make Squares

Find three numbers such that each pair of numbers adds up to a square number.

Pentadd

Five numbers are added together in pairs and the sums shown. What might the five numbers be?

PercenTable

Complete the table by calculating common percentages without using a calculator.

Pipeline Puzzle

Arrange the numbers so that the totals of the three numbers along any pipe are the same.

Plane Numbers

Arrange numbers on the plane shaped grid to produce the given totals

Planet Numpair

The sum and product are given, can you find the two numbers?

Plant More Trees

If six girls can plant 90 trees in a day. How many trees can ten girls plant in a day? The unitary method.

Plus

A number puzzle suitable for children with a wide range of abilities.

Plus Four

Work out the answers to the four given sums then add the answers together.

Positions Please

Stand at the point between the classroom walls to represent a given number.

Product Practice

Work out the answers to the given calculations then add the answers together. There are three different levels of difficulty.

Puddings

Complete the calculations with the weights of the puddings

Pyramid Puzzle

Arrange numbers at the bottom of the pyramid which will give the largest total at the top.

Quotients

Work out the answers to the given division calculations then add the answers together.

Recurring Decimal

Use your calculator to find which whole number divided by another whole number gives a recurring decimal.

Refreshing Revision

It is called Refreshing Revision because every time you refresh the page you get different revision questions.

Render Digitful

Find a calculation for the current year which uses all of the digits 1 to 9.

Roman Numerals

Learn a very different method for writing numbers using Roman numerals.

Roundabout

Go around the roundabout performing each of the operations. Which starting point gives the largest answer?

Rounding 1dp

Round off the given numbers to 1 decimal place then add the answers together.

Rounding 2dp

Round off the given numbers to 2 decimal places then add the answers together.

Rounding Whole

Round off the given numbers to the nearest whole number then add the answers together.

Route to Las Vegas

Work out the cheapest way from Los Angeles to Las Vegas by choosing the best route and adding up the given numbers.

Scaramouche

Can you work out from the five clues given what the mystery number is?

Second Holiday

Estimate then work out the period of time equal to the given number of seconds.

Shadow Sums

Make sums from the three digit numbers given.

Sid's Schemes

Work out which is the best scheme for Sid to choose for his summer bonus. One scheme involves a common misconception about percentages.

Sign Sequences

Continue the sequences if you can work out the rule.

Six Discrimination

An activity involving a calculator which is missing the six button. Can you evaluate the given expressions without using the six?

Six of the Best

Six calculations to perform without a calculator.

Spinsum

Arrange the numbers on the grid of squares so that the totals along each line of three squares are equal.

Square Pairs

Arrange the numbered trees so that adjacent sums are square numbers.

Square Thinkers

Can you find three square numbers where the third is the sum of the first two?

Stacks of Sums

Write down many different types of calculations which give a particular answer.

Stencils

Which of the coloured stencils will fit over the numbered card to produce correct calculations?

Strange Tables

A challenge to learn an unfamiliar times table involving decimals.

Student Loans

Six students borrow £5000 to help pay for their university course. Calculate how much each student will have to pay back to the lender.

Subtract Quickulations

Calculations appear on the screen every few seconds.

Sudoku Sum

What is the sum of the numbers missing from the given Sudoku puzzle?

Sum Square

Arrange the numbers one to eight into the calculations to make the totals correct..

Sum Story

Make up real life stories for the given calculations.

Table Legs

Learn an unusual times table from the strategic finger moving up and down the 'Table Leg'!

Targets

Use the given numbers to produce a calculation to get as close as possible to the given target.

Tasty Take-Aways

Four subtractions to be done without a calculator. The answers are then to be added together.

Team Age

Work out who is in which team from the information given.

Three Make 1000

Find three numbers from those given that add up to 1000. How many different sets of three numbers can be found?

Three Wise Gifts

Find as many sets of three of the available numbers as possible which add up to the given total.

Ticker News

A Think Of A Number problem presented as a news ticker.

Time Trials

You have 10 seconds to answer each of the mental arithmetic questions.

Timed Tables

How fast can you answer 24 mixed times tables questions?

Tool Triangle

Place the numbers on the triangle so that the totals along each of the sides are equal.

Triple Totals

Complete the sums using only the given numbers then check your calculations are correct.

Triplets

Find as many sets of three of the available numbers as possible which add up to the given total.

Two Numbers

Find the two numbers whose sum and product are given.

Two Thirds

Make a poster showing a variety of calculations that give the answer two thirds.

Unmagic Square

Arrange the numbers 1 to 9 in a 3 by 3 grid so that none of the line totals are the same.

Warm Up

Four quick Maths questions to warm up the brain.

Weather Report

Find five different integers that multiply together to give a product of twelve.

What are they?

A starter about sums, products, differences, ratios, square and prime numbers.

Word Difference

Can you find substitutions which will make the word sum correct?

Word Sum

Each letter stands for a different digit. Can you make sense of this word sum?

Wrong Way Round

Find calculations which written back to front give the same answer.

 

Exercises

23 or Bust

23 or Bust

A game involving mental arithmetic and strategy for two players or one player against the computer.

Addle

Addle

Arrange the numbers from 1 to 14 in the spaces to make the sums correct. How fast can you do it?

Arithmagons

Arithmagons

Find the missing numbers in these triangular, self-checking puzzles and discover the wonders of these fascinating structures.

Basic Addition

Basic Addition

A self-marking exercise on addition with increasing levels of difficulty.

Basic Division

Basic Division

A self-marking exercise on dividing numbers of up to four digits by one or two-digit whole numbers using the formal written methods of short and long division

Basic Multiplication

Basic Multiplication

A self-marking exercise on multiplication with increasing levels of difficulty.

Basic Subtraction

Basic Subtraction

A self-marking exercise on subtraction with increasing levels of difficulty.

Beat The Clock

Beat The Clock

It is a race against the clock to answer 30 mental arithmetic questions. There are nine levels to choose from.

BIDMAS

BIDMAS

A self marking exercise testing the application of BIDMAS, an acronym describing the order of operations used when evaluating expressions.

BIDMAS Game

BIDMAS Game

An online interactive game celebrating the order of mathematical operations.

Bidmaze

Bidmaze

Find your way through the maze encountering mathematical operations in the correct order to achieve the given total.

Brainbox

Brainbox

A puzzle requiring the arrangement of numbers on the function machines to link the given input numbers to the correct output.

Broken Calculator

Broken Calculator

Some of the buttons are missing from this calculator. Can you make the totals from 1 to 20?

Centexpression

Centexpression

Arrange the numbers from 1 to 9 to make an expression with a value of 100.

Chain Challenge

Chain Challenge

How fast can you perform all of the given operations without using a calculator?

Clouds

Clouds

Can you work out which numbers are hidden behind the clouds in these calculations?

Column Method for Addition

Column Method for Addition

Practise your addition skills with this exercise that already has the calculation set out for you.

Column Method for Multiplication

Column Method for Multiplication

Practise your multiplication skills with this exercise that already has the calculation set out for you.

Countdown

Countdown

How close can you get to the target by making a calculation out of the five numbers given?

Decimal Plus

Decimal Plus

Practise mental and written methods for adding and subtracting decimal numbers.

Decimal Times

Decimal Times

Practise mental and written methods for multiplying and dividing decimal numbers.

Digital Darts

Digital Darts

An online darts game for one or two players requiring skill, strategy and mental arithmetic.

Digivide

Digivide

Arrange the numbers from 1 to 6 in the spaces to make the division calculation correct.

Discombobulated

Discombobulated

A fun game requiring you to find numbers which add up to the target number as quickly as possible.

Divides Exactly

Divides Exactly

Find which divisions result in whole number quotients. A mental arithmetic speed challenge.

Divisibility Tests 2-12

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.

Doubling Quiz

Doubling Quiz

Drag the number cards onto their doubles. No calculators or writing allowed.

Equatero

Equatero

Find the expression from a series of guesses and clues.

Fast Factors

Fast Factors

Match the numbers with the answer to the times table. A timed activity to improve instant recall of key table facts.

Fifteen

Fifteen

A strategy game. Play against the computer to select three numbers that add up to 15.

Formal Written Methods

Formal Written Methods

Examples of formal written methods for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

Four Sum

Four Sum

Arrange the given number tiles to make two 2 digit numbers that add up to the given total.

Furthermore

Furthermore

A self-marking exercise on counting forwards or backwards in tens, hundreds, thousands etc.

Heptaphobia Research

Heptaphobia Research

Use written methods to answer ten arithmetic questions. When you have finished you will find the results of this amazing research.

How Many of Each?

How Many of Each?

Work out how many items were bought from the information given.

Just In Time

Just In Time

Every 10 seconds a new calculation appears on the screen: A dynamic visual aid.

Know Your Place

Know Your Place

Without a calculator perform some calculations requiring a knowledge of place value.

Largest Product

Largest Product

A drag and drop activity challenging you to arrange the digits to produce the largest possible product.

Letter Sums

Letter Sums

Use your mental arithmetic skills to add up the values of the letters in these mathematical words.

Long Division

Long Division

Practise long division with this exercise that already has the calculation set out for you.

Ludicross

Ludicross

Arrange the given numbers on the cross so that the sum of the numbers in both diagonals is the same.

Magic Square

Magic Square

Each row, column and diagonal should produce the same sum.

Magic Square Puzzle

Magic Square Puzzle

Find all of the possible ways of making the magic total from the numbers in this four by four magic square.

Make 1000

Make 1000

Use the numbers on the strange calculator to make a total of 1000

Make an expression

Make an expression

Use the digits given to form an expression equivalent to the given total.

Masad

Masad

For each pair of numbers subtract the sum from the product then divide the result by 20 without a calculator.

Maths Bingo

Maths Bingo

This application will pick the bingo numbers for you and present each of the numbers as a mathematical expression.

Missing Operations Exercise

Missing Operations Exercise

Each box represents a missing operation (add, subtract, multiply or divide). What are they?

Mixpressions

Mixpressions

Arrange the cards to create a valid mathematical statement.

Multi-step Problems

Multi-step Problems

Solve multi-step problems in contexts, deciding which operations and methods to use and why.

Multitude

Multitude

Arrange the given digits to make three numbers such that the third is the product of the first and the second.

Nine Digits

Nine Digits

Arrange the given digits to make three numbers such that two of them add up to the third.

Nine Nine Nine

Nine Nine Nine

Use the digits 1 to 9 to make three 3 digit numbers which add up to 999.

No Partner

No Partner

Find which numbers in a given list do not combine with other numbers on the list to make a given sum.

Numbasics

Numbasics

A daily workout strengthening your ability to do the basic mathematical operations efficiently.

Number Skills Inventory

Number Skills Inventory

A checklist of basic numeracy techniques that every pupil should know.

Numerate

Numerate

Earn points by creating equations on the grid in this game of equations.

Numskull

Numskull

Interactive, randomly-generated, number-based logic puzzle designed to develop numeracy skills.

One Digit Only

One Digit Only

Find expressions using only one digit which equal the given targets.

Palindrome Products

Palindrome Products

Use long multiplication and pattern spotting to fill in the table with palindromic products.

Partial Pyramids

Partial Pyramids

Calculate the missing numbers in these partly completed pyramid puzzles.

Partition Clues

Partition Clues

Partition numbers in different ways according to the clues given. The higher levels are quite hard!

Pentadd Quiz

Pentadd Quiz

Find the five numbers which when added or multiplied together in pairs to produce the given sums or products.

Pentransum

Pentransum

Mathematical questions with five possible answers. If you get 20 correct you can add your own question to the database.

Perfect Magic Square

Perfect Magic Square

Arrange the sixteen numbers on the four by four grid so that groups of four numbers in a pattern add up to the same total.

Pick Up Sticks

Pick Up Sticks

If you were to pick up the sticks from this pile so that you were always removing the top stick what calculation would you create?

Plane Numbers

Plane Numbers

Arrange numbers on the plane shaped grid to produce the given totals

Plus

Plus

A number arranging puzzle with seven levels of challenge.

Powten

Powten

Practise multiplying and dividing by powers of ten without using a calculator.

Pyramid Puzzle

Pyramid Puzzle

Numbers in the bricks are found by adding the two bricks immediately below together. Can you achieve the given target?

Quick

Quick

Can you multiply a number by 1001 in your head? This exercise provides practice in this and other similar challenges.

Quickulations

Quickulations

A mental arithmetic visual aid that displays random calculations then after a few seconds displays the answers.

Remainder Race

Remainder Race

A game involving chance and choice requiring an ability to calculate the remainder when a two digit number is divided by a single digit number.

Roman Numerals Quiz

Roman Numerals Quiz

This online, self marking quiz tests your ability to convert Roman numerals.

Short Division

Short Division

Practise short division with this exercise that already has the calculation set out for you.

Six Discrimination

Six Discrimination

The six button has dropped off! How could these calculations be done using this calculator?

Six Keys

Six Keys

Use just six keys on your calculator to make a given total. How many different ways can it be done?

Some Sums and Products

Some Sums and Products

Number puzzles involving adding, multiplying and problem solving

Spinsum

Spinsum

Arrange the numbers on the squares so that the totals along each line of three squares are equal.

Stamp Sticking

Stamp Sticking

Drag stamps onto the envelopes to make the exact postage as shown at the top left of each envelope.

Standard Form

Standard Form

Test your understanding of standard form (scientific notation) with this self-marking quiz.

Stepwise Sums

Stepwise Sums

Arrange the numbers one to nine on the stairs to obtain the given sums.

Suko Sujiko

Suko Sujiko

Interactive number-based logic puzzles similar to those featuring in daily newspapers.

Sum Game

Sum Game

A game against the clock to find the numbers which add up to the target number.

Sum of Three Palindromes

Sum of Three Palindromes

Every whole number can be expressed as the sum of three palindromic numbers like this...

TablesMaster

TablesMaster

How fast can you answer times table questions? This activity provides feedback to help you improve.

The Miller's Puzzle

The Miller's Puzzle

This is an interactive version of the puzzle described by Henry Ernest Dudeney in The Canterbury Puzzles

Think of a Number

Think of a Number

Ten students think of a number then perform various operations on that number. You have to find what the original numbers were.

Times Tables

Times Tables

A collection of activities to help you learn your times tables in only 5 days.

Tools

Tools

In how many different ways can the numbers be arranged to give the same totals?

Triplets

Triplets

Find as many sets of three of the available numbers as possible which add up to the given total.

Tug of War

Tug of War

A game for two players or teams testing their speedy reactions to mental arithmetic questions.

Unmagic Square

Unmagic Square

Like the magic square but all of the totals should be different.

Which Operation?

Which Operation?

Decide which mathematical operation is required then use it to find the answers.

Word Sums Guide

Word Sums Guide

A step by step guide showing how to solve a Word Sum where each letter stands for a different digit.

Yohaku Puzzles

Yohaku Puzzles

Fill in the blank spaces so that the cells give the sum or the product shown in each row and column.

Zygo

Zygo

Interactive, randomly-generated, number-based logic puzzle designed to develop numeracy skills.

 

Other activities for this topic | | |  Complete Index of Starters

Search

The activity you are looking for may have been classified in a different way from the way you were expecting. You can search the whole of Transum Maths by using the box below.

 

 

Have today's Starter of the Day as your default homepage. Copy the URL below then select
Tools > Internet Options (Internet Explorer) then paste the URL into the homepage field.

Set as your homepage (if you are using Internet Explorer)

 

Do you have any comments? It is always useful to receive feedback and helps make this free resource even more useful for those learning Mathematics anywhere in the world. Click here to enter your comments.

Transum.org is a proud supporter of the kidSAFE Seal Program