Custom tug of war questions let you practise exactly what you want. In the box at the top of this page, type one question per line, then an equals sign and a number. Press Play to start, or copy the link to share your set.
Copy this format | Works? |
|---|---|
3 x 4 = 12 | Yes |
Half of 76 = 38 | Yes, words are fine in the question |
-7 + 3 = -4 | Yes, negative answers work |
0.5 + 0.25 = 0.75 | Yes, decimal answers work |
If x + 9 = 15, x = 6 | Yes, only the last equals sign marks the answer |
1/2 + 1/4 = 3/4 | No, the answer must be a number |
A set can hold up to 200 questions, and each question shows up to 40 characters.
What makes a good question set?
Include at least 10 questions so they do not repeat too quickly. The two teams start at different points in your list.
Keep answers short so they fit on a button.
Use one skill per set, such as only the 7s, so the review list tells you something.
Never include names or other personal details, because anyone holding the link can read them.
Sample sets to copy
Topic | Questions |
|---|---|
Fractions of amounts | 1/2 of 14 = 7, 1/4 of 28 = 7, 3/4 of 16 = 12 |
Percentages | 25% of 80 = 20, 10% of 350 = 35, 75% of 40 = 30 |
Units | Metres in 3 km = 3000, minutes in 2 hours = 120 |
Beyond maths | Sides on a hexagon = 6, days in a leap year = 366 |
How does sharing work?
Your questions are saved inside the link itself, after the # sign. That part of a web address is not sent to our server, so we do not receive or store your set. Anyone with the link can play it or change their own copy. Save the link if you want to reuse the set.
How are the wrong answers made?
The game creates three wrong answers near your correct number, usually within 6 of it or exactly 10 away. It cannot yet handle answers that are words or fractions. For built-in fraction questions, use the fractions game. To run a set with a whole class, try a class competition.
What can you use custom sets for?
| Purpose | Example set |
|---|---|
| Recent mistakes | Only the facts on last lesson's review list |
| Square numbers | 7 squared = 49, 11 squared = 121, 13 squared = 169 |
| Time | Seconds in 3 minutes = 180, days in 2 weeks = 14 |
| Money | Change from 10 after spending 6.50 = 3.5 |
| Science facts with number answers | Planets in the solar system = 8, boiling point of water in Celsius = 100 |
A quick routine for building a set from mistakes
Play a normal match, copy the review list into the custom box with the answers, and add a few facts the player already knows so that the set does not feel like all failures. Play the set, then share the link for practice at home. Because the set lives in the link, you can keep one link per topic in your notes.
Why short answers matter
Wrong answers are generated close to your right answer, so a question whose answer is 3,000 will show options like 2,999 and 3,005. That tests careful reading rather than recall. For large answers, round the question so that the near options are still sensible, or use smaller numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions should a custom set have?
Include at least 10 questions so that they do not repeat too quickly.
Can answers be words or fractions?
Not yet. Each answer must be a number.
Are my questions stored on your server?
No. The set is saved inside the link, after the # sign, and that part of a link is not sent to our server.