How To Play The Number Ladder Game

The Number Ladder Game Champions

Super Challenge High Score:
Joe Petrow reached rung 116
using all five numbers for each equation.
(You may want to access Joe's website to find the highest rung possible for each set of five numbers.)
Intermediate High Score:
Dan Evenson reached rung 480

Beginner High Score:
Dan Evenson broke his old record of 688
by climbing all the way to 1000!!!

HOW TO PLAY

The Number Ladder Game

Most people start with the Beginner game using ten number cards. The intermediate and challenge games use fewer numbers.

To play, climb the Ladder by using some or all of your assigned numbers to make one equation for each rung of the Number Ladder. Whatever cards the computer assigns are the numbers you use throughout your entire turn.

Use these operation signs: + for addition, - for subtraction, * for multiplication, and / for division.

You may use each of your assigned numbers only ONCE in each equation, unless the computer has assigned you doubles of a number, in which case you may use them both: (5 + 5) - 2 = 8. For each new rung you may use all your cards again.

You may use parentheses ( ) in your equations. You may also use double parentheses.

You MAY NOT use your numbers as digits. For example, if you have a 4 and a 1, you may not use them together to make 41 or 14.

For Rungs 1 through 10, if you have the number, you may simply use it alone as your equation: 1 = 1; 2 = 2; 3 = 3, and so on.

If the computer tells you your equation is wrong, but you know that it is right, you may have mixed up the order of operations. Try rewriting your equation according to the proper order of operations, using parentheses as needed.

HERE IS HOW TO PLAY:

1. Starting at Rung 1, use some or all of your assigned numbers to make an equation to equal 1 for Rung 1.

For example, maybe you have the numbers to make 4 - 3 = 1. Or you might have the numbers to make (5 + 2) - 6 = 1.

2. Type only the LEFT side of your equation into the box that says "For Next Rung." Do NOT type = 1 into the box. (For 4 - 3 = 1 type in 4 - 3.) Then click on "Check Equation."

If your equation equals 1, the computer will put you on Rung 1. Then use some or all of your numbers to make an equation to equal 2 for Rung 2; then Rung 3; then Rung 4; and so on.

3. Keep climbing the Number Ladder until you cannot make an equation to equal the next rung. Your score is the number of the last rung you climbed.

4. If you would like to start over, click on New Game and then hit "Reload" in the bar over the game.

SUPER CHALLENGE: Click on the Challenge Game. That assigns you five cards. To play the Super Challenge game, use ALL FIVE cards for every equation.

HIGH SCORE: There is a high score at each level. If you email us with a copy of your score page we will post the new high score. Tell us if it's okay to publish your name. scoring@numberjugglers.com

Let's Play The Number Ladder Game

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The illustration on this page was done by Deborah Zemke for the book,
Number Jugglers Math Games by Ruth Bell Alexander (published by Workman Publishing).
Click here for information on Number Jugglers Math Game Book.