Title: Today’s Target

Description of Idea:
Teachers choose a number at random and list a series of mathematical questions related to the target number, where the target number is the answer for all the mathematical questions.

Grade: 4-12

Teachers show the students the target number and ask the students for calculations that result in the target number. The teacher provides various examples with the class, first by presenting the number chosen and then going through each mathematical question one by one.

For example
Target number is 12
1) Adding two numbers- 6+6/8+4?/12+0.
2) Finding the difference of two numbers.
3)Multiplying by two numbers.
4)Dividing one number by another.
5)Adding three numbers.
6)Multiplying three numbers.
7)Multiplying and subtracting.
8)Using a fraction.
9)Using a decimal.
10)Doing it in a unusual way.


This process allows students to use various mathematical skills (division, multiplication, fractions, decimals, adding ,subtracting), and to encourage the practice and reinforcement of those skills. This lesson broadens students’ understanding of mathematical calculations and allows them to think in all these areas.

Source: Hope, Jack. McIntosh, Alistar. Reys, Barbara. Reys, Robert. Simple Effective Number Sense Experiences. United States of America: Dale Seymour Publications, 1995: 10-12.


Submitted by: Natalia Charles