# Number Bonds: Mental math challenge games > Number puzzle game to guess the missing number and answer. The game helps to track a variable number in mind. Source: https://holidayeducationist.com/en/apps/number-bonds-mental-math-challenge-games Tagline: How do we make numbers. Math puzzle game for kids of all ages --- ## Mental math challenge The very first challenge we face to teach mental math is to teach how number bonds and reversing these numbers produces the same result. 6 + 4 = 10 , 4 + 6 = 10 3 + 2 = 5 , 2 + 3 = 5 Students get bored after a few repetitions and their brain requires something relevant to adapt. The key here is the adaptive variation and an analogous approach to present questions. We have come up with two analogous approaches bundled in this app. 1. **Calculate the following** 2. **How do we make Numbers** “Calculate the following” is the approach that starts with a simple combination to solve to establish the basic number bonds. **Example** 2 + 3 = ? It gradually adapts and adds another number in the sequence making it an equation to solve. 2 + 3 + 2 = ? 3 + 2 + 3 + 1 = ? This helps in remembering the answer in a short term memory to solve the bigger equation, improving the mental math and creates an ability to track an invisible number in the mind. Adding another mathematical operator (-) in the equation makes it more interesting and a sweet challenge for the young minds. 2 + 5 – 3 = ? 2 + 5 – 3 – 1 = ? The student can easily discover with a little guidance how opposite numbers cancel each other. 2 + 3 – 3 = ? (Here +3 and -3 cancel each other.) The best part of the app is that you can lock the level to present a specific kind of questions. The app will randomly choose a number between 2 – 9 and present its different combinations to guess the number. 2 + 4 = ? 1 + 5 = ? A daily ten minute reinforcement will establish basic number bonds which will contribute as an essential building block for mental math. ## How do we Make Numbers Another useful activity in the app “Number Bonds” is named “How do we Make Numbers” is similar in nature but more versatile and challenging. In its shortest form, it presents a missing number from the equation. 2 + ☐ = 5 3 + ☐ = 7 It also has an option to present a missing operator, guessing mathematical operators (+, -, × , ÷) to produce a number is relatively easy and a fun to learn exercise. 3 ☐ 2 = 5 It also gradually adapts and adds another number in the sequence making it a challenging equation to solve. 2 + ☐ + 2 = 7 3 + ☐ + 3 + 4 = 12 There are various settings to control the level and complexity of the equation. For example, size of the equation, biggest product number, multiple mathematical operators, number of missing boxes in the equation and locking a specific level to generate a specific kind of questions.

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