Math Games Grades 6–8

Make the Target

Teams race to combine four given digits with any operations to hit a target number — a fast mental-math puzzle round.

15 min 2+ students

What you need

A way to display digits and a target (whiteboard, or the printable kit’s pre-made rounds)

Split the class into pairs or small teams and give each team scratch paper.

Write four digits on the board (e.g. 3, 4, 7, 8) and a target number (e.g. 24).
Teams have 3 minutes to find a way to combine all four digits — using any mix of +, −, ×, ÷, and parentheses — to equal the target exactly.
When time’s up, teams that found a solution share their expression with the class; check it together.
Award a point for any correct solution and a bonus point for the most creative one, then reset with a new set of digits.

Lower the difficulty for a struggling class by allowing only +, −, and × (no division).
Raise it for a strong class by requiring exponents or requiring the solution to use every operation at least once across the round.