This two-dimensional geometry game called Place It! tests your spatial sense by requiring you to assemble a square from odd-shaped pieces. The number of pieces can be varied to adjust the difficulty of the game. Players play against the clock to determine winners and losers. (
http://www.mathsisfun.com/games/place-it.html
)
Based on the creature from Greek mythology with many heads, the hydra, this is sometimes billed as “the game you can’t lose”. Although this claim refers only to the fact that every variation of the game has a solution, there is a fair amount of strategy involved in determining the solution in a minimum number of steps, allowing for competition among players. Winning strategies require good number sense, and will sharpen your numerical skills. (
http://math.andrej.com/2008/02/02/the-hydra-game/
)
Based on a popular television program, Let’s Make a Deal requires you to make a selection, and then, decide whether to switch your selection based on information provided by the computer. The strategy that helps you to win is based on probability, and can be deduced using tools that you learn in this course. (
http://math.ucsd.edu/~crypto/Monty/monty.html
)
In an unusual twist, the first step in The Chomp Game requires you to deduce the rules. Once you have done so, you can play the game. Any number can play. (
http://lpcs.math.msu.su/~pentus/abacus.htm
)
Polish your skills at visualizing linear relations in the context of a game. Given two targets, you must correctly construct the linear equation that will hit both targets. (
http://mathforum.org/te/exchange/hosted/linearlasers/
)
Need some practice before tackling fraction operations? The Factor Game allows two players to compete against each other while brushing up on factoring skills needed for a variety of mathematics topics, including fraction operations. You can also play against the computer. (
http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=12
)
The Fruit Game is an interactive Nim-type game. Several kinds of fruit are placed on the table. You may go first, or tell the computer to go first. You, or the computer, “eat” as many of one kind of fruit as you like per turn. The object is to beat the computer by removing the last piece of fruit from the table. (
http://www.2020tech.com/fruit/index.html
)
The Tower of Hanoi puzzle was invented in 1883 by the French mathematician, Edouard Lucas. A (variable) number of rings are placed in a tower, largest to smallest. The object is to move the rings, one at a time, onto two additional towers, until all of the rings are on the last tower. It is not permitted to have a larger ring on top of a smaller one. (
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/recurrence/hanoi.shtml
)
Hammurabi is a game based on the Babylonian King, Hammurabi who is credited with the first code of law. You are placed in charge of the kingdom for ten years and must make economic decisions each year of your reign. The computer calculates the results of your decisions, along with some random factors that you cannot control. The objective is to end your reign with the kingdom in a better state than when you started. (
http://maddrio.com/hammurabi/hammurabi.php
)
Awari is an ancient game based on mathematical principles. It was popular among poorer people because it can be played using stones and holes in the ground. You play against the computer, and have the option of moving first or second. The object is to capture the greatest number of stones. (
http://members.aol.com/sstev74322/awari10.htm
)
Lunar Lander tests your ability to monitor rates of change while you bring a spacecraft to a safe landing before your fuel runs out. You can land on Earth, the moon, Mars, or Neptune to investigate the effects of different gravitational fields (
http://www.frontiernet.net/~imaging/lunar_lander_game.html
)
Pentominoes are made up of five squares in different combinations to form a variety of shapes. The object of the game is to tile a section of the plane with no empty squares left over. You can rotate or flip any pentomino before placing it in the playing area. (
http://www.math.clemson.edu/~rsimms/java/pentominoes/
)
The Chaos Game makes use of the Sierpinski Triangle and some of the Chaos Theory behind the generation of fractals to present a challenging puzzle. There are four levels of difficulty provided. (
http://math.bu.edu/DYSYS/applets/chaos-game.html
)
The Game of Life uses biological growth patterns as well as mathematical patterning to create a simulation of the growth or death of a culture. There are several rules for survival, which you can mix and match. The object is to create a living system that is able to sustain itself. (
http://www.math.com/students/wonders/life/life.html
)
Hex-7 is a strategy game that requires players to build a path across a playing surface made up of hexagons. You play against the computer and have the choice of first or second move. The game is offered at novice and advanced levels. (
http://www.mazeworks.com/hex7/index.htm
)
Hare and Hounds is a strategy game that was popular among military officers in France during the 1800s. You can select hare or hounds. The hare must elude the hounds and escape. The hounds must trap the hare so that it cannot move. The game is offered at beginner and advanced levels. (
http://www.math.com/students/puzzles/hare/hare.html
)
The Sliding Tile Game is a version of the classic game played with 16 spaces, one of which is empty. You must slide the remaining tiles, using the empty space, to reassemble a picture. This version allows you to slide more than one tile at a time. (
http://www.squarefree.com/15game.html
)
This is a variation of a memory game. You must correctly identify geometric terms to reveal pieces of a hidden picture. Several pictures are available. (
http://www.aplusmath.com/cgi-bin/games/geopicture
)
This is a variant on an electronic jigsaw puzzle in which you need to make each piece larger or smaller by one of six available factors, before you can add it to the puzzle. To make things trickier, you have only a limited amount of time to determine the correct size for each piece. (
http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/games/sizeandscale/sizeandscale.html
)
The applet allows you to manipulate a Rubik’s cube in three dimensions. The applet will randomly scramble the cube for you. (
http://www.javaonthebrain.com/java/rubik/
)
Gomoku is a version of Tic Tac Toe that is played on an infinite game space and requires the winner to get five spheres in a row. You play against the computer. The game board can be resized. (
http://www.checkers.ws/board_games/gomoku/gomoku_online.htm
)
Sudoku is a classic numbers game that requires you to complete a puzzle using the integers 1 to 9. Once you have mastered the Easy level, you can proceed through Medium and Hard to Evil levels. (
http://www.websudoku.com/
)
