Arithmetic Arithmetic - Solve the puzzle by Colouring in arithmetic answers

Tarquin’s collection of sixteen clever puzzle pictures offers plenty of practice in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Your students solve the maths problems, then colour in the correct answers to reveal each picture. You can see the contents page below and buy some pages for just a few pence to get going.

From addition puzzles to fractions, decimals and ratios

In the earlier puzzles, all the numbers are whole numbers: these work as straightforward addition puzzles and fluency practice. After that, the puzzles include fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios, with mixed operations across the pictures. Each sum is a short equation, and a wrong answer shows up as a colour out of place: the finished picture works as a built-in answer key.

• Sixteen puzzle pictures, solved by colouring in correct answers
• Practice in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
• Whole numbers first, then fractions, decimals, percentages and ratios
• Two different sets of sums for each picture

Two sets of sums for differing ability ranges

Tarquin called it Arithmetic Arithmetic because there are two different sets of sums for each picture. Children can choose the easier set, the harder set or, if they wish, both.

See the contents for an indication of what this means. In essence, the book suits differing ability ranges at ages 7–12. In practice, a group with mixed maths skills can colour the same picture, much like a shared maths game, with each child pitching the problem-solving at their own level.

See contents

How these maths puzzles differ from a logic puzzle

A sudoku or KenKen grid is a logic puzzle built on deduction. The difference lies in the goal: here, each number puzzle answer is an arithmetic fact that fills in part of a picture. If your students enjoy a logic puzzle, this offers a visual and imaginative way to get more practice with calculation.

A maths crossword or a maths riddle usually hides a single answer behind a clue. These maths puzzles work the other way round: every sum is visible, and the reward builds up as the picture fills in. A logic puzzle remains a natural next step once number facts feel secure.

Other ways to buy

This book is also in a Tarquin Select package, along with hundreds of other resources, for a small fee. Click the orange icon to find out more. The link goes to the first of the two listed packages.

Buy individual activities See contents: a single maths worksheet is enough to try with one class.

It is also available in the Tarquin Select packages Growing Mathematically and Emerging Mathematician. These are online collections of printable ebooks for different ages, so you get printable maths puzzles alongside other maths activities. You can pay annually or monthly for a wide range of resources.

Picture a learner working through the easier set of sums, then going back to try the harder one. Colouring in the same picture a second time is a calm way to practise maths at home or in class.