• the object that weighs the least, and
• how many of these "light shapes" are needed to balance each of the other shapes. Click here to play the balance game.

Coin Problem - Read the directions at the top. Find the counterfeit coin. Start with Eight Coins. Then move up to Nine Coins, etc.

Fill and Pour Game - You have only two containers. You can fill, empty, or pour from one to the other. Get the target amount. Make sure to click New Problem.

Triominoes – Manipulate the puzzle pieces and find multiple solutions.

Isometric Drawing Tool - Build some 3-Dimensional buildings using this tool.

~ ~ New for 2003 ~ ~

Finding Volume - Figure out how many cubes there are in the figure.

Transformations - WOW, that's a big word! It just means you SLIDE, ROTATE, FLIP-OVER, or ENLARGE the figure (shape) to get it on top of the other figure. There are four levels on this game.

Divisibility - Type in a number and find the factors of your number. That is, what number divide evenly into your number.

Factor Game - This is a two-player game where you pick a number and your opponent picks the factors of that number, then switch roles. Try to collect the most number of points. What is your strategy? Again, you probably want to click Stand Alone Applet which is directly below the game board. To learn more click playing to win or making connections.

Fraction Track Game - This is a two-player game. Try to get 5 of your 7 markers to the right hand side of the board. After the game appears on the screen, click Stand Alone Applet which is directly below the game board. (This puts the game in its own window.)

Tower of Hanoi - Can you solve the problem in the minimum number of moves?  For a certain number of disks, can you tell the minimum number of moves needed?

VisualFractions.com - That's it.  Learn about fractions visually.  Includes equivalent fractions, mixed fractions, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of fractions.  Learning games included.

Figure This - Mathematics Challenges for Families provides interesting math challenges that middle-school students can do at home with their families.

Coolmath4kids.com/games/ - Thinking games.  I especially like 3-D Mazes.

Visual Multiplication Table - Self-explanatory (or read the Quick Instructions). Hints and tricks for learning multiplication facts.

Virtual Manipulatives
    Pattern Blocks on-line - You can play with Pattern Blocks on-line.  Activities available as well.
    Base 10 Blocks  on-line - Make sure to check out the hammer and glue options.
    Geoboard - Also, there is a free virtual geoboard, the 5-minute download is worth it, from Edmark.

 Problems of the Week -- Students can submit their solutions.

• K-5 Problem of the Week
• Middle School Problem of the Week

Puzzles - Such as Tower of Hanoi.  Part of math.com.  More puzzles at java games (some are the same).  The Hex-7 page is very interesting and includes a great example of a "non-constructive" proof of a winning strategy for player one.  The games can also be found at mazeworks.com.

Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles - Lots of puzzles with java applets.  The site has won many awards.  Try Flipping Pancakes or Farmer and Wife To Catch Rooster and Hen or the Three Glass (water pouring) problem (or the water pouring variation).  Then move on to the more advanced.  Lots of explanations and theory provided.

Education Place K-8 educational resources from Houghton Mifflin.

• Brain Teasers Three categories: grades 3-4, grades 5-6, grades 7+.

AIMS Education Foundation - Activities Integrating Math and Science

• Puzzle Corner

Rubik's Cube On-line - Part of Room 108 Educational Games

Jim Olsen's Teaching Resources - more mathematics education links -- like the ones listed here, but more for teachers.

James R. Olsen, Western Illinois University
E-mail: jr-olsen@wiu.edu
Updated: June 29, 2012