The Math Game Builder - Create Custom Math Games

This math game gives teachers a flexible way to create custom practice activities for their students. Build the type of problems you want students to solve, then adjust settings such as rounding, fractions, negative numbers, answer format, timer, and game mode to match your lesson.

How to Create Math Problems with the Builder

Drag blocks from the block palette into the Math Problem Builder to create your problem. Drop a block into the highlighted space where you want it to appear. You can also drag blocks that are already in the builder to rearrange them.

Every problem must contain exactly one = sign and one X.  X represents the value the student needs find.

For example:
X = ? + ?
creates addition problems in which the student calculates X.

You can also place X inside the equation:
? + X = ??
In this case, the student must solve the equation to find X.

Blocks

• Use the 0 - 9 blocks to build fixed numbers. Place digits next to each other to create multi-digit numbers.
• Use random-number blocks such as ?, ?? and ??? to generate random numbers of different sizes in your problems. The options under Game Settings can further control the random values.
• To create a negative number, place the - block directly before a number or random-number block.
• The 1/2 ruler, 1/4 ruler, and similar blocks are designed for inch ruler calculations. They automatically create fractions with random numerators and appropriate denominators. For example, the 1/8 ruler block can use a denominator of 2, 4, or 8.
• Use the decimal point . block between digits or random-number blocks to create decimal values.
• Parentheses can be used to control the order of operations.
• To remove a block from the builder, either double-click it or drag it outside the builder area.

Fractions

To build a fraction, first place the block you want to use as the numerator in the builder. Then drag another number or compatible random-number block directly onto it. The column highlights when the two blocks can be merged into a fraction.

After creating a fraction this way, use the small swap icon in its corner to switch the numerator and denominator. You can also add more digits to a numeric numerator or denominator by dragging another digit directly onto that part of the fraction.

Mixed numbers

Place a whole number immediately before a fraction to create a mixed number.

For example, placing 2 immediately before 1/4 is interpreted and displayed as the mixed number 2 1/4.

Game Code

As you build the problem, the Game Code is generated automatically. It stores both the problem you created and its Game Settings. Any change to the blocks or settings updates the code.

Use the Copy button to copy the current code. You can save or share the code and use it later to recreate the same problem and settings.

To load an existing game, paste its Game Code into the code field and click Apply button. The builder restores both the math problem and the settings.

If you create a math game for your students through your account, first build the math problem here, then copy and paste the Game Code into the Game Code field when creating the game.

The Reset button only clears the problem blocks. It does not reset the Game Settings.

Start the game

Once the problem and Game Settings are ready, click Play Game. The builder checks that the math problem is valid before generating questions.

How To Play

Solve the math problem shown on the screen and enter the value of X. Use the on-screen keypad or your keyboard to type your answer, then select Submit Answer or press Enter.

Depending on the game, answers may be whole numbers, decimals, fractions, mixed numbers, or negative numbers.

Game Mode

In Game Mode, your goal is to score as many points as possible before receiving 3 strikes.

• Wrong answer or timeout = 1 strike
• 3 strikes ends the game
• Every 5 correct answers moves you up a level
• Each new level adds 10 points per correct answer

Game Mode Timer

If enabled, answer each question before time runs out.

Every 5 correct answers, the time per question decreases by 10% of the starting time.

Test Mode

In Test Mode, you answer a fixed number of questions instead of playing until you receive 3 strikes.

• Your progress is shown as you work through the test, and your final result is based on how many questions you answered correctly, for example 8/10.
• If the timer is enabled, the selected time limit stays the same for every question in Test Mode.
• If time runs out, the question is counted as incorrect, the correct answer is shown, and the test continues to the next question.

Entering Your Answer

You can enter answers with the on-screen keypad or your computer keyboard.

Examples of supported answers include:

• Whole number: 8
• Decimal: 2.75
• Fraction: 3/4
• Mixed number: 2 1/2
• Negative number: -6

Use a space between the whole number and fraction when entering a mixed number, such as 2 1/2.

Some games may require answers in a particular format. For example, you may be asked to give the answer as a fraction rather than a decimal.

Some games may round answers to a whole number, 1 decimal place, or 2 decimal places. A game may also use an answer tolerance, which allows answers within a small range of the correct value to be accepted. For example, a tolerance of ± 0.05 allows answers within 0.05 of the correct answer.

The active game settings are shown below the game.

Game Settings Explained

Mode

Choose between Game and Test mode.

In Game Mode, students earn points for correct answers and move up a level after every 5 correct answers. Higher levels award more points. A wrong answer or timeout gives a strike, and the game ends after 3 strikes.

In Test Mode, students answer a set number of questions and receive a final score such as 8/10. There are no levels or strikes.

Number of questions

Choose how many questions the student must answer in Test Mode. The final score shows the number of correct answers out of the total, for example 8/10.

Timer (per question)

Set how much time students have to answer each question, or turn the timer off. If time runs out, the question is counted as incorrect.

In Test Mode, the selected time stays the same for every question. In Game Mode, the time limit becomes shorter as the student progresses. After every 5 correct answers, the time allowed is reduced by 10% of the original starting time. For example, a 30-second timer progresses from 30 to 27 to 24 seconds.

Answer rounding

Choose whether the correct answer should be left unrounded or rounded to a whole number, 1 decimal place, or 2 decimal places before the student's answer is checked. Rounding is ignored when Fraction only is selected as the answer format.

Answer format

Choose how students may enter their answers. Any accepts fractions, decimals, and whole numbers. Fraction only requires fraction notation for non-whole answers, while Decimal/whole only does not accept fractions. Whole numbers are accepted whenever the exact answer is a whole number.

Positive results only

Turn this on when you do not want questions with negative answers. If random values create a result below 0, the game rerolls them and generates another question.

No remainder (division)

Use this for division activities where you only want whole-number final answers. If the generated division problem does not produce a whole-number answer, the random values are rerolled until a suitable question is created.

Allow zero in random numbers

Controls whether random-number blocks can generate 0. Turn this off when you want random values to start at 1.

Allow negative in random numbers

Allows eligible random number blocks to generate negative values. When enabled, eligible non-zero random values have a 50% chance of being negative. Fraction denominators remain positive.

Fraction numerator cannot be 0

Prevents a random numerator inside a fraction from being 0. For example, a randomly generated fraction will not become 0/8 when this setting is enabled.

Fraction numerator ≤ denominator

Prevents a random fraction numerator from being larger than its denominator. For example, with a denominator of 8, the numerator can be 8 or less but never greater than 8.

Answer tolerance

Allows answers that are close to the exact answer to be accepted. For example, a tolerance of ± 0.05 means an answer of 3.30 is accepted when the correct answer is 3.33. Set the tolerance to 0 to require the exact answer.