Rolling Digits

How To Play

The game involves a paper game sheet with 6 blank spots.

Players take turns rolling a 10-sided die (a 6-sided die can be substituted if needed.) Players put the number rolled into one of the nine spots on their game sheet. After 6 rolls, each player will have a 9-digit number.

The person with the largest number wins. Variations on the ways to win are suggested below.

Goal

As the game is played several times, students look for patterns to make better choices for placing their numbers. In the process, they are developing basic knowledge of place value, quantity, and probability and how that knowledge helps in making better decisions. Analyzing the game can also reinforce their understanding of large and small numbers, decimals, negative numbers, and the ordering of numbers.

Materials

• Rolling Digits Game sheet for each player. You can print the Labsheet or make one by drawing 9 boxes
• 1 Die – a ten-sided die works the best A six-sided die can be used. If you can’t find dice, you can use a dice simulator online such as: Virtual Dice or Virtual Dice Roller
• Pen or Pencil for each player

Rules

Any number of players can play at a time. Players can work individually or in pairs.

1. Each player starts with a blank game sheet.
2. Roll the die. It does not matter who rolls, but players should take turns. Or, one person can be chosen to roll the die for the whole game.
3. Each player records the number rolled on a space in their game sheet.
4. Once a number is placed in a spot, it cannot be erased or changed.
5. The die is rolled a total of 9 times to fill in all 9 spaces on the game sheets.
6. When all spaces are filled in, the player with the largest number wins.

Alternate Rules for Creative Changes to the Game

• Roll a die at the end. If it is an even number makes all game boards positive. An odd makes the game boards negative. The player with the largest number wins.
• Play the game using the Decimal Labsheet or the Negative Labsheet.

Mathematics Involved

Original Game: Ordering large numbers, naming large numbers, place value.

Rolling Decimals Game: Ordering decimal numbers, naming decimal numbers, place value.

Rolling Negative Game: Ordering negative numbers, naming negative numbers, place value.