As regular readers will know, I do like puzzle games that involve a bit of maths. The other day I came across a fantastic free iOS app (also available on Android) jointly created by MEI and the Sigma Network called Sumaze! which really hit the spot.
Sumaze! is a puzzle game in which you are required to move a tile through a number maze to get to the goal. There are various ‘gates’ in the way that can only be passed through if your tile displays the correct number. There are 7 sections (see below) containing 14 levels which obviously increase in difficulty as you go.
I managed to complete it fairly quickly, although I struggled a little on the later levels! The level shown below, particularly had me stumped for a while, although there was a simple solution in the end.
Below is a quick video guide and review.
I imagine Sumaze! could be used with A-Level students after they have been introduced to logarithms and modulus functions. I would be interested, however, in using it with GCSE students as the way the game is designed, students would pick up on things like the modulus function and logarithms through experimentation. The best part of the game is that it really challenges your problem solving skills, particularly in the later levels. I really hope they work on introducing some more levels as the concept is fantastic!
If you like puzzle games, be sure to check out this post.
Gary
November 5, 2015 at 8:59amI am stuck on Numbers Level 13 “Split the difference”. You have obviously managed to do it although to me it seems like it is not possible. What am I missing?
MathedUp
November 5, 2015 at 10:29amSPOILER: You can get there using two tiles
Sal
November 18, 2015 at 4:02pmAlso stuck on this!
Meredith
November 17, 2015 at 1:09pmWhat’s the simple solution for Powers 13? Been stuck on it for a week!
MathedUp
November 19, 2015 at 7:30amI was stuck on this for a while too! If you email me I’ll give you a clue rather than post anymore spoilers here!
Sal
November 18, 2015 at 3:36pmInequalities and Modulus, q12…. How the heck is this possible!
MathedUp
November 19, 2015 at 7:35amIt is definitely possible! Email me for a clue if you are still stuck
CJJ123
May 3, 2016 at 11:57amcan I also have a hint? im super stuck 🙁
Anna
December 5, 2015 at 12:06pmAm stuck on lv 10 arithmetic!!! Plz help
MathedUp
December 5, 2015 at 12:18pmAim to get to 20 without using the “-5” tile.
Barney
December 8, 2015 at 10:57amWhat is the solution to fermats rooms level 6? I have been on it for weeks!
MathedUp
December 12, 2015 at 5:45pmHave you got there yet?
Ben Nichols
December 13, 2015 at 10:59pmI’m also stuck on that level, no progress in too long
MathedUp
December 13, 2015 at 11:02pmIgnore the blue key
wukong
December 8, 2015 at 1:45pmhelp on the 2nd last level of fermat’s room!!
MathedUp
December 12, 2015 at 5:43pmIf you have got this far, I’m sure you will work it out!
Charlotte
December 12, 2015 at 2:12pmAm stuck on lvl 2 negatives
MathedUp
December 12, 2015 at 5:42pmWhat can you multiply “-1” by to get 3?
Ishaan Verma
January 3, 2016 at 6:34pmstuck on fermats room 7!! Been nearly a month and still not able to do the right hand side….any help will be much appreciated!
MathedUp
January 3, 2016 at 6:42pmGet through the red locks with 128..
DeadFish37
January 28, 2016 at 11:56pmI’m having trouble with Numbers 12 because my phone screen is too small to display it properly, so could you send a screenshot please? (And also if there are any others with which I might struggle similarly)
MathedUp
January 29, 2016 at 1:45amSent
Dexter
February 23, 2016 at 5:30pmAny hints for Powers 14?
MathedUp
February 23, 2016 at 10:50pmTry and get to 256 without using any of the x2
Dexter
February 24, 2016 at 2:00amThanks. Got it.
Sam.Krol
March 19, 2016 at 10:29pmBeen stuck on powers 13 for a week now. I have tried everything ☹️ Please can i have some help?
MathedUp
March 19, 2016 at 10:32pmGet to 98 without using the “+2”
Sam.Krol
March 19, 2016 at 10:54pmThank you i have already solved it!
MathedUp
March 19, 2016 at 10:55pmGreat! Good luck with the rest of it!!
Brett
July 4, 2016 at 7:07pmHey I’m stuck on Fermats room 12. I can get the two keys but can’t get past the logarithm. I’m sure you need a total of 1024 because 2 to the power of 10 is 1024 but it says I can’t have a value of over 1000! What am I missing? Thanks
MathedUp
July 4, 2016 at 7:25pmYou don’t have to go directly to the 10 after you have collected the logarithm..
Owen
July 5, 2016 at 7:51pmon the power level 14 i used the tip you gave to the other person by getting 256 without using x2 but what do you do from there its s annoying
MathedUp
July 5, 2016 at 8:24pmTry getting to 125 without using any x2
Owen
July 5, 2016 at 9:32pmfrat room level 1?
Owen
July 5, 2016 at 9:41pmi mean fermat’s
Joshua Tooker
September 8, 2016 at 5:39pmNegatives 7 is the hardest one yet, the trick is to aim for the common denominator of all the gates.