Equations is a mathematics game invented by Professor Layman Allen in 1965. The game consists of a playing mat and 24 cubes. Each cube contains four digits and two operation signs (+, -, x, ÷, *, or root). A numerical Goal is set and players must form a Solution equal to the Goal from the cubes rolled (the Resources). For example, the Goal might be 2*5 (2 to the fifth power, which is 32). A Solution might be: (5x5)+8-1

Players take turns moving to the Required, Permitted, or Forbidden sections of the mat. Any cube moved to Required must be used in any Solution; any cube in Permitted may be used; any cube in Forbidden may not be used. Thus the players themselves shape the Solution, forcing one another to create new Solutions in response to moves.

At any point a player may challenge the last mover, if they feel the last mover has made a mistake. There are three types of Challenges.  A-Flub means that the Challenger can make a Solution using the cubes in Required and Permitted and one more cube from Resources. P-Flub, or Challenge Impossible means the player believes the Mover cannot make a Solution using the cubes in Required, Permitted, and Resources. C-A- Flub means that the Challenger believes that the Mover, or some previous mover, missed an A-Flub.  After a challenge, at least one player must show a correct Solution on paper. The scoring goes like this:
     The player who wins the challenge scores 10 points.
     The loser of the challenge scores 6.
     If there is a third player, he must side with or against the Challenger and scores points depending upon that decision.

A game may also end in a Forceout.

In the adventurous version of the game, Special rules called Variations are in force in each division and reinforce what is taught in the mathematics curriculum. Before the cubes are rolled, each player selects a variation from the list provided for that division.

Equations encourages students to apply the mathematics they already know and learn concepts they will not meet in the curriculum for several years.

Equations  is copyrighted by WFF'N PROOF