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Maths In Games

Super Mario maths: platform jumps

Use age-appropriate, adult-approved play examples to compare distance, height and timing in safe paper tasks.

Quick answer

Super Mario maths: platform jumps helps you understand how far Mario jumps, how high he goes, and how long it takes him to reach the next platform. You can use this to compare distances, heights, and timing in real life.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to measure and compare distances, heights, and timing when jumping, using examples from Super Mario games. Success signs:
  • You can say how far Mario jumps in steps or blocks
  • You can tell if one jump is higher or lower than another
  • You can count how many seconds it takes to jump from one platform to another
  • You can draw or build a jump that matches Mario’s

Why this matters

Super Mario games teach us to think about jumping distances, platform heights, and timing. These skills are useful in real life too! When you play football or basketball, you need to judge how far you can jump or throw. When you're walking or climbing, you use your sense of height and distance. Learning about Mario’s jumps helps you get better at these everyday skills.

How it works

In Super Mario games, Mario jumps from one platform to another. Each jump has:
  1. Distance – how far he jumps
  2. Height – how high he goes
  3. Timing – how long it takes him to get there
To understand Mario’s jumps, you can:
  1. Measure how many steps or blocks he jumps
  2. Compare how high platforms are
  3. Count how many seconds it takes to make the jump

Examples you can see

Let’s imagine Mario is jumping across platforms. Here are some examples: Example 1: Distance Mario jumps from platform A to platform B. If each platform is 2 blocks apart, then Mario jumps 2 blocks. Example 2: Height Platform A is at ground level. Platform B is 3 blocks high. Mario jumps up 3 blocks. Example 3: Timing Mario takes 4 seconds to jump from one platform to another. You can draw this like this:
  • Platform A – ground level
  • Platform B – 3 blocks high
  • Mario jumps 2 blocks horizontally and 3 blocks vertically
  • It takes 4 seconds
You can also build Mario’s jump using blocks or paper. Try it yourself!

Try it as a mini adventure

Mini Adventure: Mario’s Jump Challenge Imagine you are Mario and you are jumping across a series of platforms in a game. You must jump from platform to platform, and you want to make sure you don’t fall down.
  1. First platform – ground level
  2. Second platform – 1 block high
  3. Third platform – 2 blocks high
  4. Fourth platform – 3 blocks high
Now, you want to jump from platform 1 to platform 2. How far do you jump horizontally? How high do you jump vertically? Then, jump from platform 2 to platform 3. How far and how high? Finally, jump from platform 3 to platform 4. How far and how high? Draw your jumps or use blocks to show how far and how high Mario jumps each time. Challenge: Can you make your own jump pattern using blocks or paper? Try jumping 3 blocks forward and 2 blocks up. How many seconds do you think it takes?

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that Mario jumps the same distance every time.
    Why it happens: Mario jumps different distances depending on the platforms.
    Fix: Count each jump carefully and compare distances.
  • Mistake: Confusing height and distance.
    Why it happens: Jumping high and jumping far can look similar.
    Fix: Remember, height is how high you go up, and distance is how far you go forward.
  • Mistake: Not timing jumps correctly.
    Why it happens: Jumping quickly or slowly can make it hard to measure.
    Fix: Use a stopwatch or count seconds to time each jump.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child by:
  • Using everyday objects like blocks or paper to show Mario’s jumps
  • Counting how many steps or blocks Mario jumps
  • Measuring the height of platforms with a ruler or tape measure
  • Timing jumps with a stopwatch or by counting seconds
  • Encouraging your child to draw or build their own jumps
  • Asking questions like, “How far did Mario jump?” or “Was that jump higher or lower?”
You don’t need to be a game expert to help! Just play along and ask questions to help your child think about the maths in the game.

Practice questions

  1. Mario jumps 3 blocks forward and 2 blocks up. How far did he jump horizontally?
  2. Platform A is at ground level. Platform B is 4 blocks high. How high did Mario jump?
  3. Mario takes 5 seconds to jump from one platform to another. How long did the jump take?
  4. If Mario jumps 1 block forward and 3 blocks up, what is the total number of blocks he jumped?
  5. How many blocks would Mario jump if he goes 2 blocks forward and 1 block up?
Answers:
  1. 3 blocks
  2. 4 blocks
  3. 5 seconds
  4. 4 blocks
  5. 3 blocks

FAQ

What is Super Mario maths?

Super Mario maths is using the game Super Mario to learn about distance, height, and timing in jumps.

Why is it helpful for learning?

It helps children understand how to measure jumps and compare different heights and distances in a fun and engaging way.

Can I do this without playing the game?

Yes! You can use blocks, paper, or drawings to show Mario’s jumps instead of playing the game.

How can I use this at home?

You can build jumps with blocks, draw them, or even act out the jumps using your hands or feet.

Is this useful for school?

Yes! It helps with understanding measurement, geometry, and problem-solving, which are important skills in school.