Cryptic Cubes to practice mathematical skills  Strategy Index | Geometry Index | Regents Exam Prep Center

Description:

Add a little flare to the often
monotonous drill of mathematical skills.

A simple set of cubes can act as a motivational tool for students who are becoming bored with drill exercises.  The cubes can be used for practicing problems ranging from arithmetic skills to advanced algebraic concepts. Two cubes are developed whose sides contain mathematical expressions.  The cubes are then rolled and the expression on each cube is recorded.  The students can then:

This single set of "battered" cubes (and its identical cohorts) have survived 2 years, 10 classes and numerous trips in a briefcase.

• ADD the expressions,

• SUBTRACT the expressions,

• MULTIPLY the expressions,

• EVALUATE the expressions given known values,

• set the expressions EQUAL and solve for a predetermined variable,

• etc.

A third (smaller) cube can be constructed which contains all of the operations listed above if you want a more varied review.

Construction:

There are many different ways to make the cubes which are used in this motivational activity.  The easiest way to prepare the cubes is to "keep it simple". 

• Imagine a cube constructed by folding two strips of paper and taping the edges together.  The best paper would be a card stock - similar in texture to 3x5 cards.

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• Do not worry about creating "tabs" on the edges of the sides to be taped or glued together (too much trouble).   "Roughly" tape the cubes together.  You will find that the cubes are surprisingly resilient.  Even if they get stepped upon, they will bounce back with a little bending.  They also will not "hurt" anything if tossed or thrown. 

• You can create the cubes ahead of time or have students tape their own cubes.  The cubes can be used over and over again.  A class set (or a set for group work) will last several years.

• Use a permanent marker to label each side of the cube with a mathematical expression.  Below are examples of possible labels for algebraic expressions.

Cube #1 - cut, fold, and tape.

Cube #2 - cut, fold, and tape.

Answer Sheet:

Students roll the two cubes and record their answers on an answer sheet similar to the one below.   The answer sheet can have the operation already indicated, or a third cube can be thrown to determine the operation.