Make 24 — Use Every Number (Grades 5–6)
The classic "Make 24" puzzle: given four numbers, use each exactly once, with any operations and parentheses, to make 24. It builds fluency and flexible thinking — there's often a clever grouping. With 4, 4, 3, 2: 4 × (3 + 2) + 4 = 20 + 4 = 24 (each number used once) — try combinations until one lands on 24.
Understanding make 24
The classic "Make 24" puzzle: given four numbers, use each exactly once, with any operations and parentheses, to make 24. It builds fluency and flexible thinking — there's often a clever grouping. With 4, 4, 3, 2: 4 × (3 + 2) + 4 = 20 + 4 = 24 (each number used once) — try combinations until one lands on 24.
Key Idea
The classic "Make 24" puzzle: given four numbers, use each exactly once, with any operations and parentheses, to make 24. It builds fluency and flexible thinking — there's often a clever grouping. With 4, 4, 3, 2: 4 × (3 + 2) + 4 = 20 + 4 = 24 (each number used once) — try combinations until one lands on 24.
Seeing it in action
Worked example
Use 6, 4, 2, 2 (each once) to make 24.
6 × 4 = 24, and use the 2s as 2 − 2 = 0 added on: 6 × 4 + (2 − 2) = 24. (Many groupings work.)
Use every number once to reach 24.
Try a few
Use 8, 3, 1, 1 to make 24.
Use 6, 2, 2, 1 to make 24.
Use 4, 3, 2, 1 to make 24.
Ready for the interactive lab?
Practice make 24 in Numeris with instant feedback.
Put the reasoning on paper.
Try six fraction, angle, perimeter and area questions with explained answers, for grades 4–6.
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