Factor Find

LEVELS

Grades 4 and up

SKILLS

factors

PLAYERS

4 players (2 teams of 2) or 2 players (1 vs. 1)

EQUIPMENT

playing cards Ace (=1) through 9
paper and pencil

GETTING STARTED

Players turn over four cards from the top of the deck. These cards are added to each other to result in a sum. Each team lists as many possible factors of this sum.

Example

Team 1 lists the factors of 24 as 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24.
Team 2 lists the factors of 24 as 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24.

Teams compare their answers and give the opposing team 1 point for each correct factor. In the case above, Team 1 earned a point for each of its six factors (6 points) and Team 2 earned a point for each of its eight factors (8 points). After the first round, Team 2 is in the lead by 2 points.

If one team lists a factor incorrectly, they lose 1 point from their total.

Play continues until one team earns a total of 100 points.

Joanne Currah and Jane Felling have created two best-selling math game books -- Shuffling Into Math (for teachers of grades K-3) and All Hands on Deck (grades 1-9). Each book includes simple instructions for more than 100 math games that help children discover math concepts and reinforce math skills. Education World is pleased to present a selection of those activities in this series.

Click to learn more about these books and other exciting products and service from Joanne and Jane's Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks.

More About Box Cars and One-Eyed Jacks

Joanne Currah and Jane Felling created their company, BOX CARS & ONE-EYED JACKS, for the sole purpose of making math fun -- not threatening or frustrating -- for children. Joanne and Jane spend many days each year on the road as they train teachers to make math fun for kids and run Family Math Nights at schools. To learn more about the authors, their books, and the services they provide, visit them at www.boxcarsandoneeyedjacks.com or email them at boxcars@planet.eon.net.