NCERT Joyful Mathematics, Class 2, textbook pages 130–137

Class 2 maths puzzles: helping your child think it through

Brain teasers and number tricks, taught with things you already have at home: a 10-minute activity, a game for the week, a 5-day plan and the mistakes to watch for.

remove 2to leave 2 squares

Puzzles in Class 2 Maths: what they teach

The Class 2 book ends with puzzles: joining shapes without crossing lines, a think-of-a-number trick, finding paths home, number names hidden in a word grid, and matchstick squares. NCERT says children should enjoy them, not be marked on them.

Why it matters later. Puzzles build patience and flexible thinking, and many have more than one answer. NCERT asks that children are not marked on them.

See it: the puzzles in pictures

think of a numberdouble it, add 8halve ittake away your numberalways 4!
The trick always ends at 4. Can your child find out why?
12 sticks,4 squares
Take away two sticks to leave just two squares.
996 + 11 + 13= 30
Some puzzles need a clever trick.

You need

  • paper and pencil
  • a pack of matchsticks or ice-cream sticks
  • a few friends or family to trick

How to use the puzzles

  1. Give one puzzle a day. Leave it on the fridge and come back to it tomorrow.
  2. Ask “What have you tried?” instead of giving hints.
  3. Try the think-of-a-number trick on each other and figure out why it always works.
  4. Let your child invent a puzzle for grandparents.

Words to use

  • try another way
  • check it
  • how many ways
  • why does it work

Watch for

  • Giving up after the first wrong try. Praise the second attempt, not only the right answer.
  • Wanting you to give the answer. Solve a similar, easier one together instead.

What it sounds like at home

A short example of the conversation. Your words will differ; the questions are what matter.

YouThink of a number. Double it.

Your childI thought 6, now 12.

YouAdd 8, halve it, take away 6.

Your child20, 10, 4.

YouYour answer is 4!

Your childHow did you know?!

A game for this week: Number trick

  1. Ask someone to think of a number.
  2. Double it, add 8, halve it, subtract the number they started with.
  3. Announce: “Your answer is 4!”
  4. Now work out together why it always works.

A 5-day plan, 10 minutes a day

  1. Day 1Shape pairs without crossing lines.
  2. Day 2Number trick: think of a number.
  3. Day 3Paths home: count the ways.
  4. Day 4Word search for number names.
  5. Day 5Matchstick puzzle.

Everyday moments to practise

  • Riddles on a long drive.
  • Word searches in the newspaper.
  • Matchstick puzzles at the dinner table.
  • Inventing tricks for grandparents.

Quick check

Ask these at the end of the week. Tap to see the answer.

Which three numbers from 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 add to 30?

Three odd numbers always make an odd total, so it looks impossible. The trick: turn the 9 upside down to make 6. Then 6 + 11 + 13 = 30.

Think of 5, double it, add 8, halve it, subtract 5. What do you get?

4.

Make the biggest two-digit number with 3 and 8.

83.

Ready for the next chapter when your child…

  • Tries more than one approach.
  • Explains how they solved a puzzle.
  • Makes a puzzle for someone else.

Activities, wording and illustrations are Mathify Kids’ own, following the topics of NCERT’s Joyful Mathematics (Class 2). See the full Class 2 parent guide for every chapter.

Questions parents ask

What puzzles are in Class 2 NCERT maths?

Joining shapes, number patterns, a think-of-a-number trick, path counting, number-name word search, matchstick squares and riddles.

Should I tell my child the answer?

Not the same day. Ask what they have tried and return tomorrow.

Are puzzles tested in school?

No. The book says children should not be assessed on puzzles.