Learn algebra for kids: use formulae, continue sequences and solve letter puzzles while exploring an island with Pip the parrot.
Chapter 4: Finding pairs of numbers that fit an equation with two unknowns
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Year 6 maths · 1
Year 6 maths · 2
Year 6 maths · 3
Year 6 maths · 4
Year 6 maths · 5 Year 6 maths · 4
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What the chapters cover in the national curriculum in England:
Algebra Island is an interactive maths game that teaches children aged 10–11 the first steps in algebra from the Year 6 national curriculum: using formulae, continuing sequences and solving missing-number problems with letters. Pip the parrot guides players around an island, where each place teaches a different skill.
Players feed number crates into a formula machine to see how 3n means 3 × n. They help a frog hop along stepping stones to find the term-to-term rule of a sequence, and keep a balance scale level to solve equations like 2b + 3 = 11 using inverse operations. They also move coins between two treasure chests to find pairs that fit a + b = 10, and build every possible ice cream to list combinations without missing any.
A hint pops up after a wrong answer, and a second wrong try shows the answer with its working. A 10-question challenge at Summit Tower tests every skill.
Algebra is maths where letters stand for numbers we don't know yet or numbers that can change. For example, in n + 4 = 10 the letter n stands for 6, and in the formula 3n the letter can be any number.
3n means 3 × n, because algebra leaves out the multiplication sign. If n = 5, then 3n is 15, not 35. Writing the digits side by side is one of the most common mistakes children make.
Use inverse operations, undoing the steps in reverse order. Take away 3 from both sides to get 2b = 8, then divide by 2 to get b = 4.
The game is designed for children aged 10–11 in Year 6, where algebra first appears in the national curriculum. A short optional warm-up recaps inverse operations and the order of operations for anyone who needs a refresher.
The game has five chapters, an optional warm-up and a 10-question challenge, and takes about an hour to play everything. Each chapter opens with an animated introduction, has hands-on activities and ends with a five-question practice round.
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