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If you're working in a group, you may want to play the Factor Game, which takes about 20 minutes. The Factor Game is a fun activity that requires understanding of factors; players must use some strategy to ensure a win!
Show participants a chart with the numbers 2 through 24:
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2 - 24 |
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2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
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Explain that they will be divided into two teams, Squares and Circles. Each team in turn chooses one of the numbers. The other team then claims all of the numbers on the chart that are factors of that number (if they're not already taken). When all the numbers have been chosen, the team with the highest sum wins the game.
For example, say the Squares team chooses 21 and draws a square around it. The Circles team then draws a circle around all of the factors of 21, in this case 3 and 7. Then the Circles team chooses 24 and circles it. The Squares team then puts a square around all its factors, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 (they can't put a square around 3, because it's already been taken). Teams alternate choosing numbers, continuing until all the numbers are taken.
There are many variations of this game. For example, you could start with more numbers on the board, or you could decide that teams are not allowed to choose numbers with no factors left on the board.
After playing the Factor Game, ask participants to describe a strategy that would help them win the next time they play. Would they rather be the first or second team to choose a number?
<< back to Part C: Factors
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