EQUATIONS

 

Called the “peerless math game” by critics, the game of Equations was invented by Professor Layman Allen in the 1960s when he was at Yale University. Researches have shown that Equations tournaments nationwide can double math success and reduce math disinterest in urban schools in two out of every three students. Studies demonstrate that the game of Equations has helped students develop skills far beyond the standard practice and repetition from textbook problems. The game requires students to improve their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Equations explores a broad range of math topics including elementary arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponentiation and root operation as well as logarithms, fractions, decimals, percents, variables, algebra, functions and more. The basic game consists of a playing mat and 24 cubes. Each cube contains four digits and two operation signs. To play, a numerical Goal is set, and players must form a Solution equal to the Goal from the 24 cubes rolled. For example, the Goal might be 3*4 (3 to the fourth power, which equals 81). A Solution for this might be: (8x9)+(7+2).  As players develop playing skills and advance to higher divisions, the game becomes more complex.

 

 

This "Game of Creative Mathematics" involves genuine learning and problem solving at the highest levels. Students are challenged by their opponents to use their mathematical knowledge and ability and to develop new skills in progressively more competitive ways. In fact, students usually learn more from applying their knowledge in the competitions than they do in their normal classroom studies. The Equations competitions encourage students to apply the mathematics they already know and to learn new math concepts oftentimes years before they will learn these ideas in school or college.

 

In MAGLOA, an Adventurous version of Equations will be played. All grade levels play with the same set of procedural rules. However, each division level of competition will consist of increasingly more difficult mathematical concepts or special rules, called Variations, for the players to learn and use. These Variations are meant to reinforce skills students should be learning at their grade levels.