Free Fairy Tale Math Activities for Grades 3-8!

January 21, 2021

Are You Ready to Celebrate Fairy Tale Day?

Did you know that February 26th is Fairy Tale Day!?

This fun holiday encourages you to read and share your favorite books and short stories from the fantasy and magic genre of literature.

And while it’s easy to celebrate this holiday in reading and literature classes, that doesn’t mean that you can’t bring some fairy tale magic into your math classroom on this special day.

So, to help you celebrate Fairy Tale Day with your math students, today we are sharing 6 super fun Fairy Tale-Themed Two Truths and One Lie! Math Activities for Grades 3-8.

Go ahead and use these activities as warm-ups, transitions, extra credit homework, or just for fun. They are great for boosting student engagement and adding some extra fun to your lesson plans. You may also like our 17 Days of Free Math Challenges and these 10 Super Fun Math Riddles for Kids (with Answers). Enjoy!

The following Fairy Tale Day Activities for elementary and middle school students are samples from my best-selling PDF math workbooks: 101 Two Truths and One Lie! Math Activities for Grades 3-5 and 101 Two Truths and One Lie! Math Activities for Grades 6-8.

Two Truths and One Lie (2T1L) math activities revolve around your students being presented with three facts, images, or statements (only two of which are true). The objective is for students to identify which statement is false and justify why (verbally, in writing, or both).

2T1L activities are an excellent strategy for boosting student engagement, sparking mathematical thinking, and opening small-group or full-class discussions. They are great for warm-up and cool-down activities during the first or final minutes of class.

Click here to learn more about how you can use two truths and one lie math activities to engage your students.

Free Snack Food Math Activities for Grades 3, 4, and 5

(keep reading to get puzzles for grades 6, 7, and 8)

Answer Key: 3rd Grade: 2 | 4th Grade: 3 | 5th Grade: 1

You can learn more about 2T1L activities and access more free samples here.

Wait! Get 100+ More Two Truth and One Lie Math Activities for Your Students!

Grades 3, 4, & 5

Get Your Activities

Grades 6, 7, & 8

Get Your Activities

Free Snack Food Math Activities for Grades 6, 7, and 8

Answer Key: 6th Grade: 2 | 7th Grade: 2 | 8th Grade: 2

You can learn more about 2T1L activities and access more free samples here.

Looking for more Two Truths and One Lie Math Activities?

You can now share 101 Daily Two Truths & One Lie! Math Activities for Grades 3, 4, & 5 OR Grades 6, 7, & 8 with your kids with our brand new PDF workbooks!

Here are a few more free samples that you can download and share with your kids (right-click to download each graphic and save it to your computer):

3rd Grade: Sample A | Sample B
4th Grade: Sample A | Sample B
5th Grade: Sample A | Sample B

Looking for more for grades 3, 4, & 5? Download your 101 ‘Two Truths and One Lie!’ Math Activities for Grades 3, 4, & 5 eBook!

6th Grade: Sample A | Sample B
7th Grade: Sample A | Sample B
8th Grade: Sample A | Sample B

Of course, sharing math puzzles with your students is just one effective strategy for boosting engagement in your classroom. Subscribe to our mailing list here to get more free daily resources, lesson plans, ideas, and insights for K-12 math teachers in your inbox every week.

Top 10 Calvin and Hobbes Math Comic Strips!

January 20, 2021

It turns out that Bill Waterson’s classic Calvin and Hobbes comic strips often involved references to math! Here are the Top 10.

Calvin and Hobbes is a famous comic strip that was created by Bill Waterson in 1985. This highly praised newspaper comic ran continuously until 1995—however, it still remains incredibly popular and influential amongst children and adults alike.

One of the reasons why Calvin and Hobbies have remained so popular amongst adults is that the comic strip often included themes related to academics, philosophy, and even mathematics.

And, if you love mathematics and Calvin and Hobbes, then you will adore these math-related Calvin and Hobbes comic strips courtesy of gocomics.com. Enjoy!

Solving Systems of Equations Explained!

January 14, 2021

This free step-by-step guide will teach you everything you need to know about solving systems of equations in math.

Solving Systems of Equations: Everything You Need to Know

Solving systems of equations can seem intimidating, especially when you see more than one equation shown on a graph. However, if you know how to graph a function on the coordinate plane or on a graphing calculator, then you can become a master of solving systems of equations.

This guide also includes a very handy system of equations solver that you can use to check your work and graph linear systems on your computer.

But first…

If you need some refreshers on the foundational skills required to understand how to solve systems of equations, you may find these free algebra resources to be helpful:

You’ll also notice that the graphics in this lesson rely on using different colors to differentiate between different functions (this strategy is very helpful for keeping your thoughts organized and preventing confusion). If you are following along using graph paper, then it is highly recommended that you use colored highlighters or markers. However, this is only a suggestion, and you can still learn to solve systems of equations using a pen or pencil.

Are you ready to get started?

System of Equations Definition

A system of equations is when there are two or more equations that share the same variables.

For example, here is a system of equations for two linear functions:

y = x + 1 & y=-2x + 1

Notice that both of these equations are shown on the graph in Figure 1.

(Again, if you need a refresher on how to graph lines in y=mx+b form, watch this quick video tutorial)

Figure 1 (graph courtesy of desmos.com/calculator)

The solution to a system of equations is the point (or points) where the lines intersect.

So, in this example, the solution to the system of equations is the point (0,1), since this is where the two lines intersect.

Figure 2: What do lightsaber fights and linear systems have in common?

Types of Solutions to Systems of Equations

Does every system of equations have a solution?

There are actually three kinds of solutions to a system of equations:

One Solution (as seen in Figure 1)
No Solution
Infinitely Many Solutions

Key Takeaways:

One Solution: The systems intersect at only one point.

No Solution: The lines are parallel and do (and never will) intersect

Infinitely Many Solutions: Two or more identical and overlapping graphs that intersect everywhere!

Confused? That’s ok. Just keep the three solution types in mind as we work through an example of each type of solution that will help you to better understand how to solve systems of linear equations.

Systems of Linear Equations Examples

Example 01: One Solution

Find the solution to the following system of equations:

Figure 4. Notice that the answer to this example is a decimal, which is totally fine.

The first step to finding the solution to this system of equations is to graph both lines as follows:

Notice that the ONLY intersection point for this system of equations is at (2,5).

Remember that (2,5) is an (x,y) coordinate where x=2 and y=5. To confirm that you answer is correct, you can substitute x=2 and y=5 into both equations to see if your answer checks out as follows.

Note that, since this system of equations has only one solution, (2,5) is the only point that will work. You can try substituting x and y values for any other coordinate and you will never find another one that works out.

Final Answer: The solution is (2,5)

Example 02: No Solution

Find the solution to the following system of equations:

Just like the last example, graph both equations on the coordinate plane as follows:

Notice that both equations have the same slope (+5/4). Since parallel lines have the same slope, it makes sense that the lines are the graph are parallel to each other. And, since parallel lines never intersect, these two lines will never intersect, and therefore there is no solution to this system of equations.

Final Answer: No Solution (because the lines are parallel)

Example 03: Infinitely Many Solutions

Find the solution to the following system of equations:

Notice that the second equation is not in y=mx+b form, so you will have to rearrange it to isolate the y before you can graph:

Isolate the y by subtracting 3 from both sides.

Now we have two equations in our system: y=-4x-3 and… y=-4x-3. After rearranging the second equation, we can see that both equations are identical.

What does this mean for the graph and the solution to our linear system? Let’s find out by graphing the first equation (Figure 5) and then the second equation (Figure 6)

Since the equations are identical, the lines are graphed right on top of each other and they intersect everywhere at every point that both lines pass through.

Therefore, every point on the line is a solution—and since lines have an infinite number of points, this system has an infinite number of solutions.

Final Answer: Infinitely Many Solutions

Systems of Equations Solver

When you initially learn how to solve systems of equations, we recommend using graph paper and a straight-edge to graph your equations and find your solution (and use substitution to check your work as we did in example 01).

However, after you become more comfortable working with systems of equations, you may benefit from using systems of equations solver tool like a graphing calculator to graph lines and find intersection points rapidly.

If you don’t have a graphing calculator, there is an awesome FREE system of equations solver calculator available via www.desmos.com/calculator.

*Note that you have to input the equations in y= form in order for the Desmos systems of equations solver to work.

For example, you can use the Desmos Systems of Equations Solver to find the solution to the system:

y=(3/5)x-8 & y=(-8/5)x+3

1.) Type each equation into the left-hand column

2.) Locate the intersection point (you may need to zoom out)

3.) Click on the intersection point to find the coordinates.

The solution is (5,-5)

Systems of Equations Video Lesson

If you are a visual learner and would like to review this step-by-step guide to solving systems of equations as a video tutorial, check out these free tutorials:

Keep Learning with These Free Math Guides:

Featured

How to Factor a Trinomial in 3 Easy Steps

Calculating Percent Change in 3 Easy Steps

What is Point-Slope Form in Math?

5 Point-Slope Form Examples with Simple Explanations

Calculating Percent Decrease in 3 Easy Steps

Where is the hundredths place value in math?

How to Solve Compound Inequalities (in 3 Easy Steps)

Parent Functions and Parent Graphs Explained!

The Vertical Line Test Explained in 3 Easy Steps

Calculating Percent Increase in 3 Easy Steps

Translating Words into Algebraic Expressions: Free Guide

Associative Property of Multiplication Explained in 3 Easy Steps

Number Bonds Explained: Free Worksheets Included

Share your ideas, questions, and comments below!

(Never miss a Mashup Math blog--click here to get our weekly newsletter!)

By Anthony Persico

Anthony is the content crafter and head educator for YouTube's MashUp Math . You can often find me happily developing animated math lessons to share on my YouTube channel . Or spending way too much time at the gym or playing on my phone.

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cm to m: 2 Easy Steps

January 13, 2021

Converting CM to M: Everything You Need to Know

Are you looking to learn how to convert centimeters to meters (cm to m)?

Before you learn the absolute easiest way to convert cm into m (with and without a calculator), let’s do a quick review of some very important vocabulary terms (trust me, this will come in handy very soon):

Centimeter (cm) is a metric unit of length that equals one-hundredth of a meter.
Meter (m) is the fundamental unit of length in the metric system. Note that a meter is approximately 39.37 inches or 3 feet and 3 inches in the imperial system)
Note that the abbreviations for centimeters (cm) and meters (m) are meant to be expressed as lower-case letters.

The key takeaway from these definitions is that a meter is the standard unit of length in the metric system and that a centimeter is equal to one-hundredth of one meter (which means that there are one hundred centimeters in one meter). Centimeters are very small compared to meters, and:

One hundred centimeters make up one meter.
One meter is made up of one hundred centimeters.

Are you starting to see a relationship between centimeters and meters?

Figure 1: Centimeters Compared to Inches

Remember that meters and centimeters are metric system units of measurement (not imperial).
For reference, some things that measure approximately 1 meter are the width of a large refrigerator, the depth of the shallow end of a swimming pool, and the height of a typical kitchen countertop.

If you can understand the relationship between cm and m (and m and cm) displayed in Figure 2, then you will be able to convert cm into m using the easy two-step method shown below!

Converting cm to m Examples

You can convert centimeters to meters by following these two easy steps.

(Note: First, you will learn how to convert cm into m by hand and then later on using a calculator).

cm to m Example 01: Convert 500 cm to meters

Let’s start with a relatively simple example, where you have to convert 500 centimeters into meters.

Step One: Divide the Number of Centimeters by 100, as follows:

500 ÷ 100 = 5

Step Two: Change the Units to Meters

500 cm = 5 m

That’s it! (see Figure 3 for a more detailed explanation)

Final Answer: 500 centimeters equals 5 meters

By following the two simple steps above, you can always convert cm to m even if you don’t have a calculator. Now, let’s take a look at another example.

Here is another example of how to convert cm to m:

cm to m Example 02: Convert 886 centimeters into meters

In this example, you can convert cm to m using the same two-step method used in the previous example:

Step One: Divide the Number of Centimeters by 100, as follows:

886 ÷ 100 = 8.86

Step Two: Change the Units to Meters

886 cm = 8.86 m

Final Answer: 886 centimeters equals 8.86 meters

What if you flip cm to m?

Before you move onto learning about the cm to m calculator and trying some free practice problems, let’s take a super quick look at the relationship between the reverse of cm to m: converting meters into centimeters.

As you may have predicted, the conversions between cm and m are reversible. When going form cm to m, you divide by 100. When going in reverse, from m to cm, you multiply by 100.

Fun Fact: If you start with meters and convert to centimeters and then convert back to meters, or vice versa, you will end up with the same number that you started with (some students like to perform these calculations to check that their work is correct).

Example 03: Convert 8.86 meters into centimeters

Notice that this example is the reverse of Example 02 and you have to convert to m into cm. If the fun fact is true, then the final answer has to be 886 centimeters. Let’s see if it works out:

Step One: Multiply the Number of Meters by 100, as follows:

8.86 x 100 = 886

Step Two: Change the Units to centimeters

886 cm = 8.86 m

Final Answer: 8.86 meters equals 886 centimeters

Pretty cool, right?

cm to m Calculator

If you need a fast and easy way to convert between different units of measurement, including centimeters to meters (cm to m), then you can take advantage of the many free online centimeters to meters conversion calculators that are available.

This free distance conversion calculator from www.calculatorsoup.com will quickly make conversions from cm into m and vice versa, but it will not show you any of the work or the previously mentioned two-step process. While this cm to m calculator is a handy tool, it will not help you understand the process behind making distance conversions or the relationship between centimeters and meters.

To use the cm to m calculator, simply input the number of centimeters in the Value to Convert box and choose to convert from centimeters to meters. If you do not input the numbers correctly, you will not get a correct cm to m conversion.

Converting cm to m Practice Problems

Looking for some extra practice converting cm into m (and m into cm)?

The following centimeters to meters practice problems will give you plenty of opportunities to apply the two-step process to converting cm to m or to use a cm to m calculator to make conversions. There is also an answer key at the bottom of this post.

1.) Convert 1,000 cm to m

2.) Convert 2,100 cm to m

3.) Convert 55 m to cm

4.) Convert 3.75 m to cm

5.) Convert 10,222 cm to m

6.) Convert 0.5 m to cm

7.) Convert 1 Million cm to m

8.) Convert 0.01 m to cm

9.) Convert 774 cm to m

10.) Convert 6 Billion cm to m

And if you are looking for some real-world practice problems involving measurement conversions, including converting cm to m, check out this free measurement conversion video lesson:

Answer Key:

1.) 10m

2.) 21 m

3.) 5,500 cm

4.) 375 cm

5.) 102.22 m

6.) 50 cm

7.) 10,000 m

8.) 1 m

9.) 7.74 m

10.) 10 million m

More Free Decimals and Fractions Resources:

Keep Learning:

Featured

How to Factor a Trinomial in 3 Easy Steps

Calculating Percent Change in 3 Easy Steps

What is Point-Slope Form in Math?

5 Point-Slope Form Examples with Simple Explanations

Calculating Percent Decrease in 3 Easy Steps

Where is the hundredths place value in math?

How to Solve Compound Inequalities (in 3 Easy Steps)

Parent Functions and Parent Graphs Explained!

The Vertical Line Test Explained in 3 Easy Steps

Calculating Percent Increase in 3 Easy Steps

Translating Words into Algebraic Expressions: Free Guide

Associative Property of Multiplication Explained in 3 Easy Steps

Share your ideas, questions, and comments below!

(Never miss a Mashup Math blog--click here to get our weekly newsletter!)

By Anthony Persico

1 Comment

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10 Free Maths Puzzles with Answers!

January 12, 2021

10 Fun (and Free) Maths Puzzles with Answers

A Post By: Anthony Persico

Are You Ready for These Super Fun (and Slightly Brain-Bending) Maths Puzzles?

Every month, thousands of individuals, young and old, search the internet for maths puzzles with answers. Why? Because working on challenging and engaging maths puzzles is more than just a recreational activity. In fact, studies show that working on maths puzzles has several educational benefits including boosting interest in mathematics, improving problem-solving skills and algebra skills, and cultivating reflective learning abilities.

So, if you’re one of these individuals looking to reap the benefits of working on challenging maths puzzles (while having some serious fun while doing so), then you’re in the right place!

Now that you know the benefits of challenging your mind by trying to solve maths puzzles, you’re just about ready to try and solve today’s collection of super fun maths riddles.

Note that these maths riddles with answers are appropriate for individuals ages 12 and up.

Before you get started, here are a few tips to keep in mind when attempting to solve any of today’s maths puzzles:

Read every maths puzzle carefully and allow yourself to think for a bit before getting started.
Use proven strategies like visualizing, diagram drawing, and trial-and-error.
You’re going to struggle! When you find yourself feeling discourages and/or messing up, that means you are in the process of reaping the benefits of solving maths puzzles and improving your problem-solving skills!
Whenever you find an answer, ask the question “does this solution make sense?”
If at any time you get stuck, close the page and take a break. This is a good time to take your mind off of the problem by doing something else like going out for a walk. The puzzle will likely become more manageable when you revisit it later on.

Practice Problem: How Many Squares?

Before you attempt the 10 Maths Puzzles with Answers on your own, you may want to get warmed-up with a relatively easy maths puzzle just to get your brain fired up and ready for some more challenging problems later on.

Of course, you can choose to continue on and skip this practice problem if you’d like.

Here is the problem:

How many SQUARES are in the 3x3 grid?

How to solve:

This is a relatively straightforward maths puzzle to solve, provided that you consider two pieces of information:

A square is a plane figure with four equal sides and four right angles.
Some squares are overlapping in the diagram.

Want to try the problem on your own? If so, don’t go any further. Stop here and try to solve the puzzle and come on back when you’re finished.

…

The most common way to solve this problem is to consider all the squares, from smallest to largest, and count them as follows:

Final Answer: 14 Total Squares

Wasn’t that fun? Now you are ready to move onto some more challenging maths puzzles!

10 Fun Maths Puzzles with Answers

Each of the following math puzzles with answers includes an image graphic. Click on any image to enlarge. The complete answer key for all 10 maths puzzles is included at the bottom of the page.

Have fun!

1.) Maths Puzzles 01 of 10: How Many Rectangles?

This problem may seem very similar to the practice problem, but the subtle difference between Squares and Rectangles is a very big deal that makes this problem rather tricky. (Click here to learn more about this controversial maths puzzle)

Can you solve it?

(Hint: By definition, is a square a rectangle?)

2.) Maths Puzzle 02 of 10: Factors and Fruit

Problem: If each piece of fruit in the diagram below is equal to one of the following numbers: 1, 2, 3, or 5, then what is the value of each fruit so that both equations are true?

3.) Maths Puzzle 03 of 10: Moon Math

Problem: What is the value of the missing number “?” in the lunar diagram below?

Hint: Look for a pattern.

4.) Maths Puzzle 04 of 10: Which is More Pizza?

Problem: Which deal gets you the most pizza (if each deal costs the same amount):

One 18” pizza pie, or
Two 12” pizza pies

Can you solve it?

Use the area of a circle formula: A= π(r^2)

5.) Maths Puzzle 05 of 10: Super Maths!

Problem: Find the value of each symbol and the ‘?’ in the puzzles below:

Puzzle 1

Puzzle 2

Puzzle 3

Are you looking for more super fun Maths Riddles, Puzzles, and Brain Teasers?

The best-selling workbook 101 Math Riddles, Puzzles, and Brain Teasers for Ages 10+! is now available as a PDF download. You can get yours today by clicking here.

Get Yours Now

6.) Maths Puzzle 06 of 10: How Many Triangles

Problem: What is the total number of triangles in the diagram below?

7.) Maths Puzzle 07 of 10: Matchsticks Maths

Problem: Make the maths equation true by moving ONE AND ONLY ONE matchstick?

(*Bonus if you can find all three possible answers)

8.) Maths Puzzle 08 of 10: How Many Total Handshakes?

Problem: If there are 20 people in a room and they shake every other person’s hand once and only once, how many handshakes would take place?

9.) Maths Puzzle 09 of 10: Shopping Spree!

Problem: At the mall, the total cost of a pair of shoes and a hoodie is $150. The cost of the hoodie is $100 more than the cost of the pair of shoes. How much does each item cost?

10.) Maths Puzzle 10 of 10: Parking Lot Puzzle

Problem: In the diagram below, what is the number of the parking spot occupied by the car?

11.) Bonus Maths Puzzle! : The Big Triple!

MATHS PUZZLES ANSWER KEY:

36 Total Rectangles (click here to learn more about how to solve this problem)
Melon=5, Apple=2, Grapes=3, Lemon=1
?=8 (the relationship between the diagonals are cubes and cube roots)
Area of 18” Pizza: ~254.3 square inches > Area of two 12” pizzas: 226 square inches
(click here to learn more about how to solve this problem)
Puzzle #1: DK=12, Bananas=8, Barrell=4, ?=24
Puzzle #2: Mario=12, Peach=12, Toad=6, Bowser=0, ?=30
Puzzle #3: Van=8, Zombie=9, Scooby=5, ?=77
27 Total Triangles
8-4=4, 5+4=9, 0+4=4 (Here is a great video explanation)
190 handshakes (19+18+17+16+...+3+2+1=190)
Hoodie costs $125, Shoes cost $25
87 (click here to learn how to solve this problem)

11. (BONUS!) 1+2+3=6 and 1 x 2 x 3 = 6

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Do YOU Want More Fun Math Riddles, Puzzles, and Brain Teasers?

Check out our math riddle videos on YouTube!

Did I miss your favorite math riddle for adults? Share your thoughts, questions, and suggestions in the comments section below!

(Never miss a Mashup Math blog--click here to get our weekly newsletter!)

By Anthony Persico

Anthony is the content crafter and head educator for YouTube's MashUp Math and an advisor to Amazon Education's 'With Math I Can' Campaign. You can often find me happily developing animated math lessons to share on my YouTube channel . Or spending way too much time at the gym or playing on my phone.