Integer Links

A copymaster of four different game boards is provided at the end of these notes.
This game will help the students to practise adding up integers and at the same time encourage thinking ahead to work out the best moves. Players will quickly learn to avoid closing off the higher negative numbers.
The students can either keep a running total on a calculator or on paper or wait until the game has finished to add up the integer value of their shapes. You could ask them: “Does it matter in what order the numbers are added together?” “Which way do you move on the number line when adding a negative number?” Then review the rules for adding integers. Another interesting discussion could focus on the strategies used by the students who worked out their totals mentally.
You can extend this game by having the students create a slightly bigger grid version that could be used by three to four players.

Answers to Activity

Game
A game using integers