If you’ve tried some of the time and date patterns shared in Happy New Year Kick it Off with Time and Date Patterns! then you’ll quickly catch on to what I share in this post. At the time of this writing, we are moving into the year ’24, and I thought it would be fun to make a connection to this popular math game.
The game 24 involves trying to create an equation that ends with the number 24. You can “make” 24 using addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division, but you must use all four digits, each only once. In the picture here, you could do (5 x 5) – (4 – 3) = 24.
Students can be challenged to write math equations using DATES, and the 24 Game could be reimagined as a constrained math game or activity to be used as a daily brainteaser or in many other ways. The S.C.A.M.P.E.R.ed version includes the following guidelines:
THE 2024 GAME
The date may be written in different forms (learn more HERE).
The digits must be written in the same order as they each appear in the date.
The two sides of an equation, being equal, must not equal zero.
EXAMPLES:
- January 13, 2024 (1-13-24) SOLUTION: (11 – 3) ÷ 2 = 4
- February 15, 2024 (2-25-2024) SOLUTION: 2 + (2 x 5) = 20 – (2 x 4)
- June 18, 2024 (6-18-2024) SOLUTION: 6 x 1 x (8 ÷ 2) + 0 = 24
- May 8, 2024 (2024-05-08) SOLUTION: ( 2 x 0) + (2 x 4) + (0 x 5 x 0) = 8
Your students may or may not be familiar with the order of operations, so it’s up to you what you require as far as actually writing them out. In my examples, I’m using parentheses and brackets to clarify the order.
In 2024, APRIL is our PALINDROME month. All dates on the calendar below are palindrome dates. Only one date is written in an alternative form from the way we usually write dates in the U.S. Your students might be surprised to learn that the majority of countries in the world write the date in this format: DAY / MONTH / YEAR rather than MONTH / DAY / YEAR.
I wanted to prove to myself that there is an equation to be made for every date of the year, so I created this 2024 year-long calendar of equations (the April page above is a sample). You can play this in a way very similar to the 24 Game or have students race to find an equation for every day of the month! For most dates, several other equations can be made, so your students may find many different solutions.
WAYS TO PLAY
- QUICK MATH GAME – Post any date from the week and race to find equations.
- DAILY WARM-UP – Add this to whatever warm-ups you already do. Math teachers, have students write the date in equation form on papers turned in!
- MATH LOVERS / FAST FINISHERS – Supply a calendar page and have students work on the entire month as they have time. Here’s a template you can use (weekdays).
- MATH WEEKLY CONTEST – Once a week, have students race to find equations for all the school dates in that week.
- BULLETIN BOARD DISPLAY – Hang a large calendar and have students post their equations for the dates. I’ve added this to the list of classroom display ideas in the post Learning Off the Wall.
RELATED POSTS
How to Think About a Number ~ Let Us Count the Ways!
24 Challenge ~ Math Club and Tournament Resources
Learn a Calendar Trick ~ Explain the Math!
Jump-Starts and Joyful Sparks ~ Fresh Ideas for January (updated each year)
Math On the Move: Quick Brain Benders that Get Students On Their Feet