MAGIC 18

MAGIC 18 is a Grade 5 numerical-expression game where players use the card values on the table to create an expression equal to 18. Students may combine addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, with each operation used at most once in an expression. The fixed target pushes students to rearrange numbers and operations flexibly instead of following a single procedure.

Use it in a small group when students are practicing evaluating expressions and order-of-operations thinking. Comparing different ways to make 18 can lead to useful discussion about which expression is most efficient or easiest to verify. Create a free Find a Math Game account to generate teacher-ready lesson support for MAGIC 18. No credit card is required, and the free account includes 3 lesson generations for life.