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'Tug Harder!' printed from http://nrich.maths.org/
You might like to try
Tug of War
before trying this.
This game is for two players - you can use the interactivity below,
or you could draw a number line on a piece of paper and find a
counter to use. In both cases, you will need two dice.
Decide who is Positive and who is Negative.
Positive moves from left to right and Negative moves from right to
left. (Why do you think we have suggested this way round?)
Take it in turns to throw the two dice and add the scores then move
that number of places in your direction.
If the counter reaches -$13$, Negative has won. If the counter
reaches $13$, Positive has won.
Is it better to play a game where you have to reach the end
exactly, or where you can go over the end? What do you think and
Now change the game. This time, when you throw the dice, you can
decide whether to add, subtract, multiply or divide the numbers on
the dice. You must reach -$13$ or $13$ exactly to win.
Does this make a better game? What do you think? Why or why
How else could you change the game?
Please send us your ideas!
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