Solving problems with all four operations worksheet

Designed to enhance mathematical problem-solving skills, the worksheet presents two engaging activities for KS2 students. In Activity 1, the task is to reach a target number using a combination of dice rolls and arithmetic operations. Students will need five standard dice, numbered 1-6, and one special die with faces numbered in multiples of 10, ranging from 10 to 60. The challenge begins by rolling the special die alongside one standard die to set the target number. Then, the remaining standard dice are rolled to provide the numbers to work with. The objective is to use each rolled single-digit number once, applying any of the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) to reach the target number. A variation of the activity requires all single-digit numbers to be used, adding an extra layer of complexity.

Activity 2 shifts the focus to combining larger and smaller numbers to achieve a specified three-digit target number. This activity requires a set of digit cards, categorised as 'Large Numbers' (25, 50, 75, 100) and 'Small Numbers' (1-10), along with random three-digit number cards. Students begin by selecting one three-digit card to establish the target number. They then choose a combination of six cards from the Large and Small Number piles, without seeing the values, to work with. The aim is to use the selected numbers to calculate the target number, employing the four operations as needed. Both activities are designed to help students understand the meaning of the equals sign and to develop fluency in using all four operations to solve problems.