Ten Digits for High School

Ten Digits for High School from Pattern Press is a creative and engaging math challenge booklet designed to strengthen number sense, algebraic thinking, and flexible problem-solving through playful exploration with numbers and operations.

Students combine sets of three numbers to create equations and discover multiple pathways to solutions, encouraging mathematical curiosity, perseverance, and deeper understanding of how numbers work together. These open-ended math challenges invite students to experiment, think critically, and develop confidence with advanced operations in a low-pressure, puzzle-style format.

Perfect for math enrichment, middle school and high school math practice, tutoring, gifted learners, and classroom warm-ups, Ten Digits Challenge helps students move beyond rote calculation into creative mathematical thinking.

For ages 12 and up. Everyone loves these challenges!

Students explore:

• Order of operations
• Parentheses and grouping strategies
• Exponents and square numbers
• Square roots
• Negative numbers
• Flexible equation building
• Multiple solution strategies
• Algebraic thinking and reasoning
• Mental math organization
• Problem-solving stamina and persistence

Students will learn to:

• Read, define, and apply square numbers, square roots, exponents, and order of operations
• Construct unique equations using a set of numbers
• Analyze operations and compare multiple strategies
• Organize mathematical thinking into written equations
• Develop flexibility and creativity in problem solving
• Discuss and defend mathematical reasoning
• Create multiple solutions to a single challenge
• Strengthen mathematical confidence and number fluency

Prerequisites:

• Fluent with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of integers
• Familiarity with square numbers, square roots, exponents, negative numbers, and parentheses
• Understanding of order of operations