Download the Dice Idea Book

Use this set of six 1-20 dice to play Brain Bender III, a challenging math game requiring addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Game Directions

This game needs at least six dice. This game can be played with more dice, but it may make the solutions too easy. Using fewer dice will result in impossible situations with no solution.

Before rolling the dice, select one die to be the answer die. For this example, the green die will be the answer die.

Roll the dice. All five of the other dice must be used in the solution. The numbers may be used in any order, but each number must be used exactly once.

The numbers may be added, subtracted, multiplied, or divided. Parentheses, squares, square roots or any other mathematical function may be used. Note: It is seldom necessary to do more than add, subtract, multiply, or divide to find a solution. Older children who have had algebra may enjoy using more advanced functions to find a more difficult solution.

Some Simple Solutions

(18 minus 14) plus 11 plus 4 plus 1

(14 minus 1) plus (18 minus 11) times 1

An Advanced Solution

[the square root of 4 times (18 minus 14)] plus 11 plus 1