Target Number- Order of Operations- Math Card Game

I love to play card games with my kids. One of the best ones we’ve found is “Target Number,” a math card game which helps them polish their math skills by practicing basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts and order of operation while having fun! It’s so engaging – they never get tired of playing it over again in fact!

WHAT YOU NEED TO PRACTICE BASIC MATH SKILLS

• Two decks of cards ( remove Jack, Queen and King ). Ace equals 1 .
• 2 players
• Paper and pen

How to play Target Number Math Card Game

• Deal five cards to each player.
• Flip one card from the top of the deck and place it in the center. This card will be the target number.
• The goal of each player is to use the cards in their hand to add, subtract, multiply or divide to reach the target number.
• Each player must try to use all five cards, but must use at least 2 cards.
• If a player can make the target number, he/she will write the letter “T” from the word “TARGET” to a piece of paper.
  • For example, if the target number is 5, and the player has a 2, 7, 2, 3, 3, he/she could use one of these equations : “3+2” or “(3+3)/2+2” or “(7+3)/2” or “(7 + 2 + ( 3×2))/3”.
• Players must then discard all of the five cards in their hand along with the target number card.
• Five more cards are dealt to each player and a new target number is placed in the center. The play continues until one of the players has written all the letters of the word “TARGET”.

Which is the correct order of operations?

The traditional method for learning the Order of Operations is through PEMDAS. (Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally). The most common misconception among kids is that they must multiply first, then divide. Alternatively, add first, then subtract later. That’s because that’s how P.E.M.D.A.S. works. The answer, however, is that you must multiply or divide, subtract or add, whichever comes first. The correct way to teach order of operations will be to use the GEMS method.

The G.E.M.S. method is an excellent method for teaching students the order of operations.  Its acronyms are:

G – Symbols for grouping (parentheses, brackets, braces) ->  ( ) [ ] { }
E – Exponents (the exponent is the number of times the base is multiplied by itself).
M – Multiply or divide, whichever comes first!
S – Add or Subtract, whichever comes first!

Additional Math Card Games

• Tens Go Fish is a mathematical adaptation of the classic “Go fish” game.  And it helps to practice the combinations of ten. 
• Flip Ten is a spin off of a traditional memory match game to practice the addition facts and learn the combination of tens
• Place Value Activities Playing this game will introduce you to the fundamentals of order of operations through a deck of cards! 

(Disclosure : Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. )

We hope you enjoy playing this game with your kids, and please tell others about it so they can also play it.