Math Game Monday: Linear War

This game helps players grow comfortable with all the attributes of linear graphs.

Many parents remember struggling to learn math. We hope to provide a better experience for our children. And one of the best ways for children to enjoy learning is through hands-on play.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s play some math!

Linear War

Math Concepts: coordinate graphing, linear equations, slope, intercepts.
Players: two to four.
Equipment: printed or homemade game cards, pencils or markers, ruler or other straightedge.

The FREE 68-page printable (pdf) Prealgebra & Geometry Printables file features hundred charts, coordinate grids, assorted graph paper, and all the game boards for the Math You Can Play: Prealgebra & Geometry book.

Set-Up

Players each create a personal deck of eleven game cards. The printable download file includes coordinate grid templates for the game cards. Print on card stock or sturdy paper for best results. Or cut regular grid paper into 10 × 10 squares.

Draw coordinate axes with the origin at the center of each card. Number the points from −5 to +5 on each axis.

On each card, draw a line that passes through at least two points with integer coordinates, such as (−3,1) and (0,5). Mark these points with dots on the line.

Claim your deck: Mark the back of each card with your insignia (initials, emoticon, math symbol, etc. — your choice). Decorate as desired, so long as it doesn’t bleed through the paper and obscure your lines.

How to Play

Place your game card deck face down in front of you and draw the top two cards for your hand. The player whose turn it is names the trump:

• Least slope or greatest slope
• Least or greatest x-intercept
• Least or greatest y-intercept

Each player chooses a card from their hand and holds it face down. When all players are ready, turn the cards up, and the card that best fits the trump captures them all. Each player keeps a pile of prisoner cards.

In case of a tie, leave the cards on the table for the winner of the next trick.

Players draw a new card to replenish their hands. When the decks run out, continue playing until all the cards are taken or the last round ends in a tie. Whoever captures the most prisoners wins the game.

Give the prisoner cards back to their owner, unless you are playing the “Spoils of War” variation.

Variations

In between games, players can make new cards. But they must always choose a deck of eleven cards for play.

House Rule 1: Are players allowed to draw lines with undefined slopes? If so, how will you treat those cards when the trump is “greatest slope”?

House Rule 2: How will you handle cards whose x- or y-intercept is off the chart? Are they allowed to compete for the intercept trumps categories?

Spoils of War: If you win the game, you may claim one card from your prisoner pile to replace a card in your deck. Erase the identification and add your own symbol on the back. Offer your old card to the losing player as a consolation prize, if you wish.

History

This is yet another game from the inventive mind of John Golden, the Math Hombre. He suggests using it throughout a unit on linear graphing, having students make different game cards as you introduce each vocabulary term. At the end of the unit of study, they can choose their eleven-card decks and play the game for review.