Game

This traditional game involves students thinking logically about the possible digits in a two-digit whole number. It does not demonstrate an understanding of place value: it demonstrates systematic thinking. As a prop to learning the terms “pata” and “tika”, coloured counters can be used in an analogy to traffic lights.

red (wrong digit, wrong place) orange (right digit, wrong place – “pata”) green (right digit, right place – “tika”)

A three-digit game might progress like this: 

4 5 6		The digit 4 is correct but in the wrong place.
1 4 7		Both the 4 and 7 are correct but in the wrong places.
2 7 4		4 is correct and in the right place; 7 is correct but in the wrong place.
7 9 4		7 and 4 are correct and in the right places.
7 3 4		7, 3, and 4 are correct and in the right places.

Recording systems can help students by easing the load on their working memory. For example,
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
can be used to eliminate non-applicable digits as they are cancelled out by red counters (or crosses).

 Answers to Game

A game to demonstrate systematic thinking.