NRICH: Connect Three
The game Connect Three is played with two spinners, one with the numbers 1,2,3,−4,−5,−6 and the other with the numbers −1,−2,−3,4,5,6.
This game follows on from First Connect Three
Spin the two spinners, choose what order to place the numbers in, and add or subtract them to produce one of the totals shown on the board, which you can then cover with one of your counters.
Can you place three of your counters in a straight line before your opponent does?
Play the game a few times, and then take a look at the questions below.
You can use the interactive version or print this board to play away from the computer.
Click on the purple cog to change the settings – you can play against a friend, or against three different levels of computer opponent.
Some numbers can only be made in one way, but some can be made in many different ways.
Can you work out the number of different ways of achieving each of the different totals?
Does this influence the way in which you might choose to play the game?
You may be interested in the other problems in our Explore and Explain Feature.
Age 11 to 16
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Resource k12
The game Connect Three is played with two spinners, one with the numbers 1,2,3,−4,−5,−6 and the other with the numbers −1,−2,−3,4,5,6.
This game follows on from First Connect Three
Spin the two spinners, choose what order to place the numbers in, and add or subtract them to produce one of the totals shown on the board, which you can then cover with one of your counters.
Can you place three of your counters in a straight line before your opponent does?
Play the game a few times, and then take a look at the questions below.
You can use the interactive version or print this board to play away from the computer.
Click on the purple cog to change the settings – you can play against a friend, or against three different levels of computer opponent.
Some numbers can only be made in one way, but some can be made in many different ways.
Can you work out the number of different ways of achieving each of the different totals?
Does this influence the way in which you might choose to play the game?
You may be interested in the other problems in our Explore and Explain Feature.
Age 11 to 16