Tug of War Game

Do you prefer the game if you change the rules so you only have to reach +13 or -13 to win, and it’s OK to overshoot? Why?

In the TUG MUCH HARDER GAME you can add, subtract, multiply or divide the 2 scores (in either order). Different versions take one operation at a time. In the full version players can choose which operation to use, and, if the answer is a whole number, use it to move the counter. If your opponent challenges you, and you have done the calculation wrongly, then the counter goes 3 steps towards your opponent’s goal.

Click here to download a PDF POSTER VERSION of this problem for your classroom wall.

Click here for the TUG OF WAR worksheet

Click here for the TUG OF WAR Inclusion and Home Learning Guide

Click here for the TUG OF WAR Notes for Teachers.

This problem is adapted from the NRICH task Tug Harder with permission of the University of Cambridge. All rights reserved.