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Description

A quick and simple-to-explain code and maths game ideal for cubs and scouts online. Play against the clock to get brains ticking!

Resources

Paper & pencil
Optionally - create handouts or charts to help players, these could be emailed in advance or shared on screen.

Instructions

Given a code like 63BEANS, can players work out the answer with only knowledge of a telephone keypad?

SET-UP
Show/give players a telephone keypad and point out how number keys ALSO have letters allocated. 2 = abc, 3 = def and so on. (1 and zero are not used in this game). Using the key/letter cypher, explain how to convert a word "BEANS" into a string of numbers: B=2; E=3, A=2, N=6, S=7 : 2,3,2,6,7
Let players practice this with a couple of simple words you have prepared.

PREPARE
The game leader should create several codes (some examples are included in the attachments).
Consider the age and ability of the players when creating the calculation - younger players may struggle with multiplication or division.

THE CHALLENGE
Challenge players to apply simple arithmetic operators between the INDIVIDUAL NUMBERS (add, subtract, multiply, divide) to reach the target number included in the coded message. For example: '63' is the target in code '63BEANS'.

Keep the maths simple... first and second numbers calculated together, the total calculated with the next etc ie 1+2x3 is 1+2 = 3; 3x3 = 9. [in other words - ignore "order of precedence"/BODMAS rules. Our example is properly calculated 1+(2x3)=7 applying order of precedence/BODMAS. However, this may be too advanced for some younger players - but you may chose to require it for Scouts or Explorers!).]

Simple game: the numbers from the code word are used IN ORDER. BEANS = 2,3,2,6,7
Harder game: the numbers from the code word can be used IN ANY ORDER. BEANS = 2,2,6,7,3 (for example).

PLAY THE GAME
Once everyone is clear on the challenge, reveal the first code!
Players have 90 seconds (Countdown style) to work out their answer - or get as close as they can.
If a player thinks they can solve the code they call out. The clock stops and they are asked to show their working. Award a point for a right answer.

Play continues until you have a winner (3 point?) or you have completed a pre-determined number of games (5 or 7 perhaps). It's up to you.


63BEANS
The answer: BEANS = 2,3,2,6,7 = 2 + 3 - 2 + 6 x 7 = (((2+3)-2)+6)x7 = (((5)-2)+6)x7 = ((3)+6)x7 = (9)x7 = 63

Tags

• challenge
• code
• cypher
• maths

Badge Links

• Skills - Problem solving