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Maths In Games

A junior gamer's maths notebook

A printable-style page idea for recording scores, times, coordinates, designs and discoveries.

Quick answer

You can use maths to track your progress, solve puzzles, and make your games more fun by recording scores, times, coordinates, and designs.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use maths to record and understand your gaming progress and discoveries in a fun way. Success signs:
  • You can write down your game scores and times
  • You can use numbers to describe where things are in a game
  • You can see patterns in your game play
  • You can use maths to plan your next game move

Why this matters

Maths helps you understand how games work, track your progress, and become better at them. Whether you're playing with friends, solo, or online, maths helps you solve problems, make decisions, and have more fun. From counting how many coins you've collected to planning where to go next on a map, maths is all around you in games.

How it works

You can use maths in games in many ways:
  1. Counting and adding scores
  2. Measuring time
  3. Using coordinates to move around
  4. Creating patterns and designs
  5. Planning strategies

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you're playing a game where you collect coins. You start with 5 coins, then find 3 more. You can write this down as 5 + 3 = 8 coins. This is addition. You can also write down how long it took you to collect them, like 2 minutes and 15 seconds. You can use coordinates to find your way around a game map. If your character is at position (3, 5), that means 3 steps to the right and 5 steps up. This helps you move around the game world. You can make patterns with your game designs. If you build a wall with 4 blocks, then 3 blocks, then 4 blocks again, you are making a pattern. You can count how many blocks you use each time.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Treasure Hunt You are going on a treasure hunt in a video game. You need to find the treasure by following clues. Here's your first clue:
  • Start at position (0, 0)
  • Move 3 steps right
  • Move 2 steps up
  • Move 1 step left
  • Move 4 steps down
Where are you now? Write down your position after each move.
  1. Start at (0, 0)
  2. Move 3 steps right: (3, 0)
  3. Move 2 steps up: (3, 2)
  4. Move 1 step left: (2, 2)
  5. Move 4 steps down: (2, -2)
Your final position is (2, -2). You found a clue! Now you need to find the treasure.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Forgetting to write down your scores or times
    Why it happens: It's easy to forget when you're having fun
    Fix: Use a notebook or sticky note to write down your scores
  • Mistake: Mixing up left and right when using coordinates
    Why it happens: It's confusing when you're moving around
    Fix: Use a small drawing to show your movements
  • Mistake: Thinking that 0 coins means you lost the game
    Why it happens: It's hard to understand that zero is a number
    Fix: Remember that zero means "no coins" but you can still win
  • Mistake: Not seeing patterns in your game play
    Why it happens: You're just playing and not thinking about maths
    Fix: Look for repeats or changes in your game play

Parent and carer guide

You can help your child by:
  • Encouraging them to write down their scores and times
  • Playing along to show how maths is used in games
  • Helping them understand coordinates with simple drawings
  • Looking for patterns in their game play together
  • Asking questions like "How many more coins do you need?" or "Where are you going next?"
Try this with your child for 5-10 minutes:
  1. Play a short game together
  2. Write down the score
  3. Count how long it took
  4. Draw a simple map with coordinates
  5. Look for patterns in your moves

Practice questions

  1. Write down your score if you start with 10 points and gain 5 more.
  2. If you take 3 minutes and 15 seconds to finish a level, how many seconds is that?
  3. What are the coordinates of a point that is 4 steps right and 2 steps up from (1, 1)?
  4. How many blocks do you use if you make a pattern of 3 blocks, then 2 blocks, then 3 blocks again?
  5. Write down a pattern you see in your game play.
Answers:
  1. 10 + 5 = 15 points
  2. 3 minutes = 180 seconds, 180 + 15 = 195 seconds
  3. (1, 1) + (4, 2) = (5, 3)
  4. 3 + 2 + 3 = 8 blocks
  5. Any pattern your child sees in their game play (e.g., "I always collect 5 coins in a row")

FAQ

What is a coordinate in a game?

A coordinate is a way to show where something is in a game. It uses numbers to tell you how far to go right or left, and how far to go up or down.

How can I use maths to improve at games?

You can use maths to count your points, measure how long things take, find your way around maps, and notice patterns that help you win.

Do I need to be good at maths to enjoy games?

No, you can enjoy games even if you're not good at maths. But maths can make games more fun and help you get better at them.

What kind of maths is used in games?

Games use counting, addition, subtraction, time, coordinates, patterns, and shapes. All these maths skills help you play better.

Can I make my own game with maths?

Yes! You can make up your own rules, use scores, time yourself, and plan your moves using maths.