Brain breaks

Make 24

Students use four numbers and any operations to make exactly 24. A puzzle-style math game that builds number sense and mental math.

  • 🎓 Grades 3–12
  • ⏱ 5–15 min
  • 👥 Individuals or pairs
  • 📦 No prep
🎲 Another game

How to play Make 24

  1. Write four numbers on the board, such as 1, 2, 3 and 4.
  2. Students must use every number exactly once with +, −, × and ÷ to make 24.
  3. The first student to find a solution explains it on the board.
  4. Ask whether anyone found a different solution.

Variations

  • Change the target to the date or to 10 for younger students.

💡 Teacher tips

  • Example: with 1, 2, 3 and 4, students can write 1 × 2 × 3 × 4 = 24 or (4 + 2) × (3 + 1) = 24.
How to play Make 24: printable classroom rule card with the steps, time (5–15 min), grades 3–12 and prep

📌 Rule card to print or pin

The rules of Make 24 on one card. Print it for the board or a sub folder, or save it to Pinterest for later.

Save to Pinterest Download / print rule card
Up next🔢 Count to 20 →

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