Algebra Play Class 8 Maths Worksheet with Quiz and Activities
Explain number tricks with letters and solve pyramid and grid puzzles. On WitKnowLearn you get the Algebra Play Class 8 online quiz, online activities and interactive games, a algebra lab, a virtual lab and a worksheet-style practice sheet for Class 8 Maths.
Algebra Play Class 8 Online Quiz
20 questions: 10 easy, 5 average and 5 thinking. Tap an answer and the next question comes up.
Algebra Play Class 8 Activities
👆 Tap a tab to switch: Learn, Games, Labs, Challenges, Virtual Lab and Practice sheet
🧪 Algebra Lab
Do the experiment on screen: 3 rounds, then see what we found.
Lab progress
- 🧪 Round 1 of 3
- ⬜ Round 2 of 3
- ⬜ Round 3 of 3
- ⬜ What did we find?
9️⃣ Multiple of 9?
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Sort 8 numbers by whether they could be the difference between a 2-digit number and its reverse.
How to play: Drag each card into its bin, or tap a card and then tap a bin.
The difference is always 9 times something.
Could be a difference
a multiple of 9Cannot be one
not a multiple of 9FACTS: The difference is 9(a - b).
🫧 Algebra Bubbles
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Pop the 5 true facts. Leave the 4 false ones.
How to play: Tap a bubble to pop it. False bubbles wobble and stay.
Use letters to check each claim.
FACTS: Letters explain tricks.
🧠 Trick Memory
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Match each clue with its answer.
How to play: Flip two cards. If they match, they stay open. Find all 6 pairs.
Work out each clue.
FACTS: Tricks in numbers.
📝 Algebra Word Gaps
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Fill each gap with the right word from the tray. One word is extra.
How to play: Drag a word into a gap, or tap a word and then tap a gap.
Read the whole sentence before you choose a word.
A letter standing for an unknown number is a .
A statement true for every value is an .
Reasoning with letters instead of numbers is .
Each brick in a number pyramid is the of the two below it.
Swapping the digits of a number gives its .
FACTS: Tricks have words.
⚖ Which Is Greater?
⭐⭐⭐Goal: In each pair, tap the greater value.
How to play: Tap one card in every pair.
Work out each value first.
FACTS: Computing decides.
🗓 Grid Sum Lab
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Find the sum of a 2 by 2 calendar grid.
How to play: Drag a number into each gap, or tap a number and then a gap.
Sum = 4a + 16.
Top left 1 gives sum .
Top left 5 gives sum .
Top left 8 gives sum .
Top left 10 gives sum .
FACTS: Four numbers, one sum.
🔺 Pyramid Lab
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Find the top of each number pyramid.
How to play: Drag the right number into each gap.
Top = x + 2y + z.
Bottom 1, 2, 3 gives top .
Bottom 2, 3, 4 gives top .
Bottom 5, 1, 4 gives top .
Bottom 4, 0, 6 gives top .
FACTS: Add the pairs.
🔲 Big Grid Lab
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Find the sum of a 3 by 3 grid from its centre.
How to play: Drag the right number into each gap.
Sum = 9 × centre.
Centre 10 gives sum .
Centre 14 gives sum .
Centre 18 gives sum .
Centre 20 gives sum .
FACTS: Nine times the centre.
🔎 Solve the Grid Lab
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Find the top left number of a 2 by 2 grid.
How to play: Drag the right number into each gap.
Solve 4a + 16 = sum.
Grid sum 36 gives top left .
Grid sum 52 gives top left .
Grid sum 20 gives top left .
Grid sum 60 gives top left .
FACTS: Undo the steps.
🔬 Bigger Than 150?
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Sort 6 products by whether they are greater than 150.
How to play: Drag each card into a bin, or tap a card and then tap a bin.
Work out each product.
Greater than 150
more than 150150 or less
not more than 150FACTS: Compare with 150.
❓ Algebra Quiz
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Answer 3 questions. Each correct answer earns 1 point.
How to play: Tap the best option.
Recall the basics.
1. Doubling x and adding 4 gives
2. In a calendar, the number just below a is
3. A pyramid with bottom 1, 2, 3 has top
FACTS: Three basics.
💦 True or False Splash
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Decide if each statement is true or false.
How to play: Tap True or False.
Use letters.
1. A 3 by 3 calendar grid sums to 9 times its centre.
2. A number trick that works for 5 must work for every number.
3. The reverse difference of a 2-digit number is a multiple of 9.
FACTS: Letters prove.
➗ Quick Sums
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Solve 3 calculations. Type the number.
How to play: Type your answer and press Check.
Use the formulas.
1. 2 by 2 grid with top left 12: sum
2. 3 by 3 grid with centre 17: sum
3. Reverse difference for 91
FACTS: Practice builds speed.
🔗 Match the Term
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Match each term with its meaning.
How to play: Drag each card onto its partner, or tap a card and then tap a partner.
Think about letters and numbers.
FACTS: Each has a meaning.
📖 Story Problems
⭐⭐⭐Goal: Read 3 short stories and choose the best answer.
How to play: Tap an answer.
Write it with a letter.
1. 🗓 A friend picks a 2 by 2 calendar grid with sum 44. The top left number is
2. 🔺 A pyramid has bottom 3, 4, 5. The top number is
3. 🎩 You say think of x, add 3, double, subtract 6. The result is
FACTS: Algebra tells stories.
🗓 Calendar Grid Experiment
⭐⭐⭐Aim
To find the sum of a 2 by 2 calendar grid for different top left numbers.
Objectives
- Use 4a + 16.
Procedure
- Take the top left number.
- Multiply by 4 and add 16.
- Type the sum.
- Choose the conclusion.
Sum = 4 × top left + 16.
Observation table
| Top left number | Grid sum |
|---|---|
| 2 | |
| 6 | |
| 9 | |
| 12 |
Conclusion
Outcomes
- I can write a grid sum as an expression.
- I can use algebra to explain a pattern.
🔄 Reverse Digit Experiment
⭐⭐⭐Aim
To find the difference between a two-digit number and its reverse and see that it is a multiple of 9.
Objectives
- Subtract the reverse.
Procedure
- Take the number.
- Reverse its digits.
- Subtract the smaller from the larger.
- Choose the conclusion.
Subtract the smaller number from the larger.
Observation table
| Number | Difference with reverse |
|---|---|
| 52 | |
| 83 | |
| 91 | |
| 95 |
Conclusion
Outcomes
- I can test a number trick.
- I know the difference is 9(a - b).
🔺 Build a Number Pyramid
⭐⭐⭐Aim
To fill a number pyramid with the bottom row 2, 3, 4, 5 by adding neighbouring bricks.
Objectives
- Add two neighbouring bricks.
- Build row by row.
- Find the top number.
Procedure
- Type each brick and it appears in the pyramid.
- Use the Pyramid view and Sums view buttons.
- Read the finished results.
- Answer the questions and choose the conclusion.
Add the two bricks directly below.
Read your figure
Outcomes
- I can build a number pyramid.
- I can find the top number.
- I understand why the middle numbers count twice.
Read the chapter first. Write each answer on the line. The page checks your answer as you type.
A. Think of a number
B. 2 by 2 grids
C. Pyramids
D. Reverse and 3 by 3
Algebra Play: Algebra Play
A short read for Class 8 before you play. These notes cover Algebra Play: number tricks, pyramids, calendar grids, largest products and divisibility tricks.
🎩 Why tricks work
Think of a number, double it, add 4, halve it and subtract the number you started with. The answer is always 2. Letters show why: 2x + 4 halved is x + 2, and x + 2 - x = 2, whatever x is.
🔺 Pyramids and grids
In a number pyramid each brick is the sum of the two below it, so a bottom row x, y, z gives a top of x + 2y + z. A 2 by 2 calendar grid with top left number a adds to 4a + 16, which lets you find the numbers from the sum.
🔄 Reverse and subtract
Reverse the digits of a two-digit number and subtract. 74 - 47 = 27, and 27 ÷ 9 = 3. For digits a and b the difference is 9 × (a - b), so it is always a multiple of 9.
Algebra Play Class 8 Maths Activities
Follow every step on the Number Train. Earn up to 3 stars in every activity.
This page covers Algebra Play: number tricks, pyramids, calendar grids, largest products and divisibility tricks for Class 8 maths. It covers think-of-a-number tricks, number pyramids, calendar grids, the largest product puzzle and divisibility tricks explained with algebra.
The activities are pitched at Class 8 level. Explain tricks with letters, fill pyramids, solve calendar grid puzzles, test the reverse-digit trick and build a pyramid in the studio. Explore more Class 8 maths worksheets on WitKnowLearn after this chapter.
Key ideas and facts to know
| Puzzle | Letter form | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Think of x, double, add 4, halve, subtract x | 2x + 4, x + 2 | 2 |
| 2 by 2 grid | a, a + 1, a + 7, a + 8 | 4a + 16 |
| Pyramid (x, y, z) | x + y, y + z | x + 2y + z |
| Reverse digits | 10a + b, 10b + a | 9(a - b) |
How to use this page
- Flip the six cards and try the Algebra Lab in the Learn tab.
- Play the five games and the five labs to practise each idea.
- Finish the five challenges to collect up to 15 points.
- Do two virtual experiments and build a number pyramid in the studio.
- Take the 20-question online quiz, with assertion and reason and case study questions, and fill in the practice sheet.
Worked examples
4a + 16 = 36 gives a = 5. The numbers are 5, 6, 12 and 13.
The middle row is 6 and 7, so the top is 13.
This Algebra Play worksheet for Class 8 science gives you online activities and interactive games that make the chapter clear. Every activity has a goal, a hint and a short fact, so students learn while they enjoy.
Complete Guide: Class 8 Maths Algebra Play
This guide is for Class 8 students, parents and teachers. It covers Algebra Play: number tricks, pyramids, calendar grids, largest products and divisibility tricks for Class 8 maths and shows how to use the quiz, labs and games on this page.
Introduction to Algebra Play
Algebra is a tool for explaining why number tricks work and for inventing new ones.
What is there in this chapter
- Think of a number tricks
- Number pyramids
- Fun with grids
- The largest product
- Divisibility tricks
Learning objectives
- Explain a trick with letters.
- Solve grid and pyramid puzzles.
- Invent a number trick.
- Reason with assertions and case studies.
Learning outcomes
- I can explain a number trick.
- I can solve calendar grid puzzles.
- I can fill a number pyramid.
Algebra Play Class 8 resources on this page
| Resource | What it gives |
|---|---|
| Online quiz | 20 questions: 10 easy, 5 average and 5 thinking, with assertion and reason and case study questions and a full review |
| Flip cards | 6 picture cards with one-line rules |
| Algebra Lab | A hands-on lab with 3 rounds |
| Games | 5 interactive games |
| Labs | 5 activity labs |
| Virtual Lab | 2 experiments plus a studio that builds a number pyramid brick by brick |
| Challenges | 5 challenges, 15 points in all |
| Practice sheet | A worksheet-style sheet with 16 questions, name and date lines and a live score |
Key facts
| Idea | Rule |
|---|---|
| 2 by 2 grid | 4a + 16 |
| 3 by 3 grid | 9 times the centre |
| Pyramid | x + 2y + z |
| Reverse difference | multiple of 9 |
| Letters | prove tricks |
Types of questions you may see
- Explain a trick
- Calendar grids
- Number pyramids
- Reverse digits
- Assertion and reason
Solved examples
2x + 10 - 10 = 2x, and half of 2x is x.
189 ÷ 9 = 21.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Correct idea |
|---|---|
| Testing one number and calling it proof | Use a letter for any number |
| Writing the next row as a + 1 | The next row is a + 7 |
| Forgetting the middle number counts twice in a pyramid | Top = x + 2y + z |
Algebra Play in daily life
Algebra checks tricks, spreadsheets, puzzles, codes and patterns in calendars.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Replace the unknown number with a letter.
- Simplify after every step.
- Practise one assertion and one case study each week.
Related Class 8 Maths Worksheets
- 📊Class 8 Maths Worksheet: Data Handling
- ➗Class 8 Maths Worksheet: Rational Numbers
- ⚖Class 8 Maths Worksheet: Comparing Quantities
- ％Class 8 Maths Worksheet: Percentage
- 🧠Class 8 Maths Notes and Mind Maps
- 📚Class 8 Maths Worksheets, page 1
- 📚Class 8 Maths Worksheets, page 2
- 📚Class 8 Maths Worksheets, page 3
Algebra Play Class 8 FAQs
Why do think-of-a-number tricks work?
Using a letter for the number shows that it cancels out, so the result is the same for every number.
What is the sum of a 2 by 2 calendar grid?
4a + 16 where a is the top left number.
How do I find the top of a number pyramid?
Add neighbouring bricks row by row.
Why is the reverse difference a multiple of 9?
Because (10a + b) - (10b + a) = 9(a - b).
What can students do on this page?
Students can take a 20-question online quiz with assertion and reason and case study questions, play five games, try five online activities, finish five challenges, run the Algebra Lab, do two virtual experiments, fill a number pyramid brick by brick and compare the pyramid and sums views,, and fill in a 16-question practice sheet with a Show answers button.
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