24MathGames
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Stuck on a make-24 puzzle? These strategies help you solve faster — in class, with a card deck, or in 24MathGames Speed mode.
New to the puzzle? Read our how-to-play guide first.
Proven mental math tactics to solve make-24 puzzles faster — in class, on paper, or in Speed mode.
Stuck on a make-24 puzzle? These strategies help you solve faster — in class, with a card deck, or in 24MathGames Speed mode.
New to the puzzle? Read our how-to-play guide first.
The fastest route is often “make two numbers, then multiply or add to 24”:
24 × 1 — build 1 from the remaining pair12 × 2, 8 × 3, 6 × 448 ÷ 2, 30 − 6, 18 + 6See an 8 and a 3? Ask: “Can I make the other two into 1?” or “Can I make 8×3 directly?”
Dividing identical numbers gives 1: 5 ÷ 5, 7 ÷ 7. Subtracting consecutive values helps: 5 − 4 = 1.
24 × (5 − 4) = 24
Hard puzzles often need a fraction step. The classic 3, 8, 3, 8 set uses
8 ÷ (3 − 8 ÷ 3) = 24.
Do not shy away from dividing early — it can simplify the remaining tiles dramatically.
With a large value (11, 12, 13) and small ones, try subtraction to pull toward a factor of 24, or multiply toward 48 or 72 that you can divide later.
Pick a target like 6 × 4 and ask whether you can form 6 and 4 from two pairs of the given numbers. Reverse engineering cuts random guessing.
One shared puzzle each day builds streak motivation. Even two minutes keeps mental math sharp between longer sessions.
Review worked examples when a solution feels opaque — then play 24MathGames to track ranks and streaks.
Classic levels, Speed races, and Daily Challenge — free on iPhone and iPad.
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