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Prodigy Maths

Prodigy fair difficulty maths mission

A practical mini-mission using fair difficulty to practise maths mindset through questions, examples and child-friendly challenges.

Quick answer

A Prodigy fair difficulty maths mission is a fun, self-paced learning challenge where you solve maths problems to progress through levels, using your growing maths skills to unlock new areas and rewards.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how to solve fair difficulty maths problems in a fun, adventure-style game like Prodigy, and you'll be able to use your maths skills to solve puzzles, complete quests, and make smart choices in your learning journey. Success signs:
  • You can identify what maths problem you need to solve
  • You can use your knowledge of numbers, shapes, or operations to find the answer
  • You can check your answer to make sure it makes sense
  • You can explain your thinking to a friend or grown-up

Why this matters

Playing games like Prodigy helps you build your maths skills in a fun way. When you solve problems in a game, you're not just memorising – you're thinking and using your maths to make choices. This builds your confidence and helps you understand how maths works in real life. Whether you're planning a party, sharing snacks, or solving a puzzle, these skills help you make smart decisions.

How it works

In a Prodigy fair difficulty maths mission, you are given a challenge that uses maths. You have to:
  1. Read the problem carefully
  2. Think about what maths you need to use
  3. Solve the problem step by step
  4. Check your answer to make sure it's right
  5. Move on to the next challenge
You might see questions like: "If 5 dragons each collect 3 gems, how many gems do they collect in total?" This is a multiplication problem. You can solve it by thinking of 5 groups of 3, or by counting up 3, 6, 9, 12, 15.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some fair difficulty problems you might find in a Prodigy mission: Example 1: Counting and Addition You are helping a wizard collect magical flowers. You find 7 flowers in the forest and then find 5 more. How many flowers do you have altogether?
  • Step 1: Start with 7 flowers
  • Step 2: Add 5 more flowers
  • Step 3: Count up from 7: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
  • Step 4: You have 12 flowers
Example 2: Simple Multiplication A knight has 4 treasure chests. Each chest has 6 gold coins inside. How many gold coins are there in total?
  • Step 1: Think of 4 groups of 6
  • Step 2: 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24
  • Step 3: There are 24 gold coins
Example 3: Division You have 18 cookies to share equally among 3 friends. How many cookies does each friend get?
  • Step 1: Split 18 cookies into 3 equal parts
  • Step 2: 18 ÷ 3 = 6
  • Step 3: Each friend gets 6 cookies

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Dragon's Treasure Hunt You are on a quest to help a friendly dragon find her lost treasure. You must solve maths puzzles to open the treasure chest.
  1. First clue: The dragon has 3 bags. Each bag has 7 gold coins. How many coins are there?
  2. Second clue: You need to collect 15 fireflies to light up the cave. You already have 6 fireflies. How many more do you need?
  3. Third clue: The treasure chest opens when you solve this: 9 ÷ 3 = ?
  4. Fourth clue: You must divide 12 sweets between 4 friends. How many sweets does each friend get?
Let’s solve them together!
  1. 3 bags × 7 coins = 21 coins
  2. 15 – 6 = 9 fireflies
  3. 9 ÷ 3 = 3
  4. 12 ÷ 4 = 3 sweets
Great job! You helped the dragon find her treasure.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 10 + 5 = 14
    Why it happens: Adding the numbers wrong or rushing
    Fix: Count carefully or use your fingers to help
  • Mistake: Forgetting to check your answer
    Why it happens: Wanting to finish quickly
    Fix: Always double-check your work
  • Mistake: Mixing up multiplication and division
    Why it happens: Not remembering what each operation does
    Fix: Remember: multiplication = groups, division = sharing

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help by:
  • Reading the problem with your child and asking what they think
  • Encouraging them to explain their thinking
  • Letting them use objects like blocks or counters to help
  • Checking their answer together
  • Not worrying if they make a mistake – it’s part of learning!
You can also say things like:
  • "Can you show me how you solved that?"
  • "What do you think the answer should be?"
  • "Let’s try again if you're not sure."

Practice questions

  1. There are 5 trees. Each tree has 4 apples. How many apples are there?
  2. Tom has 12 marbles. He gives 3 to his friend. How many does he have left?
  3. There are 20 candies. If 4 friends share them equally, how many candies does each friend get?
  4. What is 7 + 8?
  5. What is 15 ÷ 3?
Answers:
  1. 5 × 4 = 20 apples
  2. 12 – 3 = 9 marbles
  3. 20 ÷ 4 = 5 candies
  4. 7 + 8 = 15
  5. 15 ÷ 3 = 5

FAQ

What is a Prodigy fair difficulty maths mission?

A fair difficulty maths mission in Prodigy is a challenge where you solve maths problems to move forward in the game. These problems are just right for your learning level and help you practice important maths skills.

How can I improve at fair difficulty maths problems?

You can practice by solving problems every day, asking questions, and checking your answers. Use objects like counters or draw pictures to help you think.

What kind of maths is in Prodigy missions?

Prodigy missions use addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and shapes. You'll also learn about patterns and problem-solving.

How do I know if my answer is right?

You can check your answer by using the opposite operation. For example, if you added, try subtracting. If you multiplied, try dividing. You can also count again or use objects.

Can I play Prodigy with my friends?

Yes! You can play Prodigy with friends, and you can even compete to see who can solve problems the fastest or collect the most rewards.