Activities for

FAST
FINISHERS

By Marc Tyler Nobleman

S C H O L A S T I C

PROFESSIONALBOOKS
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Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Scholastic Inc. grants teachers permission to photocopy the activity pages in this book for classroom
use. No other part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording,
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Cover design by Maria Lilja

Cover art by Jeff Shelly
Interior design by Solutions by Design, Inc.
Interior illustration by Mike Moran

ISBN: 0-439-35532-X

Copyright © 2002 by Marc Tyler Nobleman

Printed by Scholastic Inc.
All rights reserved.
Printed in the U.S.A.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 40 08 07 06 05 04 03 02

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 CONTENTS
About This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Decimals
Student Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Tic-Tac-Decimal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Defying Physics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Whole Number Operations
Puzzle Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Time for the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Time for a Laugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Many Pennies Lane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Half Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Fractions
Grab, Add ’N Win! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Get Cracking! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Desperately Seeking 68 . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Balloon Journey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Numberless Subtraction . . . . . . . . . . 11 Fraction Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Big Spenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Out of This World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
A Perfect Match . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Improper Ages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Eight Is Great . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Radio Riches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Percents
Tag Sale Tally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Everything Must Go! . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Good Things Come in Threes. . . . . 17 Get With the Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Number Pole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Dino Bone Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Meanie Genie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Get the Scoop! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Problem Solving
The Number Shuffle . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Milk Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
A-Maze-ing! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Money Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Lights, Camera, Action! . . . . . . . . . 23 Find Your Way Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Guess Your Best. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Number and Number Theory Mark and Darcy’s Game . . . . . . . . . 52
Reaching the Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 On the Wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Harvest Riddle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Speed Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Three’s a Charm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Think Inside the Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Find the Bookend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 In Search of Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Abracadabra! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Alien Phenomenon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Pyramid Challenge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 One-Hit Wonder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Think Ahead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Break the Code! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Hit the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Oops, Wrong Number . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Sum Good Facts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
STRENGTH in Numbers . . . . . . . . . . 33
Prime Time for Prime Numbers . . 34
Little Number, BIG Impact . . . . . . . 35

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 ABOUT THIS BOOK
It happens to teachers all the time. A Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

class is taking a test or working on a Exponents

project and a few students finish sooner Little Number, BIG Impact

than the rest. They’re sitting around, A shortcut for writing 2 x 2 x 2 is 23.
The number that is written above and to
the right of another number is called an
looking bored. What can you give them exponent. Insert an exponent to the right
of each number in Column A so that it
equals the number in column B.
so they’ll use what’s left of the time We’ve done the first one for you.

period in a valuable and enriching way? A B

2
1. 4 16

That’s where this book can be of help. 2. 6 216

It’s full of high-interest math activities 3. 8 64

that your students are sure to love. 4. 9 729

Does your class like crossword puzzles? 5. 2 68

Then they’ll love the number puzzles in 6. 4 256

these pages. Do they like to figure out 7. 3 2,187

11 14,641
and break codes? Inside, they’ll have 8.

9. 25 15,625
plenty of opportunities to solve a host
10. 47 103,823
of number-related mysteries.

In this book, “math puzzle” does not Activities for Fast Finishers: Math Scholastic Professional Books 35

mean “math problem.” Each puzzle or

game is a refreshing and fun challenge that
reinforces the math curriculum while building other
valuable skills, such as creative thinking or visual
perception. There are 55 one-page activities in all,
designed to be worked on independently and keep
those fast finishers busy for an average of 10 to 15
minutes each. The checklist on the next page will
help you and your students keep track of their
progress.

This book has been designed to entertain your

students while slipping in some education at the
same time. It aims to help students learn that math
can be both useful and enjoyable.

— Marc Tyler Nobleman

4 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Name ________________________________________________________________

Student Checklist
Track Your Progress Form
Put a ✓ in the box for each activity you complete.
WHOLE NUMBER OPERATIONS DECIMALS
❑ Time for the Future 6 ❑ Tic-Tac-Decimal 36
❑ Many Pennies Lane 7 ❑ Defying Physics 37
❑ Half Time 8 ❑ Puzzle Time 38
❑ Grab, Add ’N Win! 9 ❑ Time for a Laugh 39
❑ Desperately Seeking 68 10
FRACTIONS
❑ Numberless Subtraction 11
❑ Get Cracking! 40
❑ Big Spenders 12
❑ Balloon Journey 41
❑ A Perfect Match 13
❑ Fraction Action 42
❑ Eight Is Great 14
❑ Out of This World 43
❑ Radio Riches 15
❑ Improper Ages 44
❑ Tag Sale Tally 16
❑ Good Things Come in Threes 17 PERCENTS
❑ Number Pole 18 ❑ Everything Must Go! 45
❑ Meanie Genie 19 ❑ Get With the Team 46
❑ Get the Scoop! 20 ❑ Dino Bone Zone 47
❑ The Number Shuffle 21
PROBLEM SOLVING
❑ A-Maze-ing! 22
❑ Lights, Camera, Action! 23 ❑ Milk Money 48
❑ Money Matters 49
NUMBER AND NUMBER THEORY ❑ Find Your Way Out 50
❑ Reaching the Top 24 ❑ Guess Your Best 51
❑ Harvest Riddle 25 ❑ Mark and Darcy’s Game 52
❑ Three’s a Charm 26 ❑ On the Wall 53
❑ Find the Bookend 27 ❑ Speed Readers 54
❑ Abracadabra! 28 ❑ Think Inside the Box 55
❑ Pyramid Challenge 29 ❑ In Search of Numbers 56
❑ Think Ahead 30 ❑ Alien Phenomenon 57
❑ Hit the Road 31 ❑ One-Hit Wonder 58
❑ Sum Good Facts 32 ❑ Break the Code! 59
❑ STRENGTH in Numbers 33 ❑ Oops, Wrong Number 60
❑ Prime Time for Prime Numbers 34
❑ Little Number, BIG Impact 35

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 5
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Addition

Time for the Future

A time capsule is a box filled with items
from a certain period of time and buried for
people in the future to dig up. A time
mathsule is very similar, except you need to
use math to know when it was buried.
When was each time mathsule buried? Add
up the numbers that are part of each
mathsule. The total is the year it was
buried. (There is a lot of stuff in each—
these are very big time mathsules!)

1. 900 Confederate coins 4. passports from 79 countries

82 hats 435 menus
439 newspapers copies of 773 birth announcements
445 arrowheads 168 fishing hooks
Total ________ 100 crayons
lyrics to 50 popular songs
phone books from 342 cities
2. 314 essays by schoolchildren
60 train tickets Total ________
740 food labels
567 “I Went to the Moon” buttons 5. 23 dog collars
288 expired drivers’ licenses 13 magazines
Total ________ signatures of 38 mayors
26 flags
1801 newspapers
3. 500 postage stamps
202 compact discs Total ________
set of 24 encyclopedias
582 adhesive bandages 6. $200 cash
90 pounds of instant oatmeal 320 wooden spoons
592 bottle caps 681 broken watches
Total ________ 596 photographs
102 bow ties
Total ________
YOUR TURN
Create a mathsule from the year 476.

6 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Converting and Adding Money

Many Pennies Lane

The Beatles were one of the most famous rock
bands of the 20th century. One of their most well-
known songs was called “Penny Lane.” Look at
the list of song titles below. How would they be
renamed when converted to pennies? You may
write with numbers instead of writing out your
answer in words. The first one is done for you.

Song title Song title converted to pennies

1. “Twenty Dollars Lane” “2,000 Pennies Lane”

2. “Seven Dollars Lane”

3. “Sixty-One Quarters Lane”

4. “One Hundred Eleven Nickels Lane”

5. “Two Dollars and Nineteen Cents Lane”

6. “Four Hundred Dimes Lane”

7. “Eighty-One Dollars and One Cent Lane”

8. “One Dollar and Ninety-Nine Cents Lane”

9. “Penny and Dollar Lane”

10. “Ninety-One Half-Dollars Lane”

11. “Three Dollars and Twenty Nickels Lane”

12. “One Thousand Dollars Lane”

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 7
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Addition

Half Time
Each equation has one number that, when
removed, creates a new equation with a sum
that is exactly half of the original. Find that
number and circle it. Write the new equation
on the line beneath the original. There is
only one correct answer for each. We’ve
done the first one for you.

1. 23 + 16 + 7 = 46

16 + 7 = 23 (which is half of 46)

________________________________________

2. 15 + 7 + 12 + 34 = 68

________________________________________

3. 11 + 3 + 6 + 2 = 22

________________________________________
YOUR TURN
4. 21 + 38 + 67 + 8 = 134 Did you find a strategy that
helped you figure out which
________________________________________
number to remove? Describe
5. 61 + 94 + 33 = 188 it here.

________________________________________

6. 24 + 30 + 100 + 180 + 26 = 360

________________________________________

7. 77 + 368 + 46 + 245 = 736

________________________________________

8. 610 + 401 + 102 + 107 = 1,220

________________________________________

9. 239 + 812 + 1,329 + 278 = 2,658

________________________________________

10. 1,035 + 1,507 + 5,421 + 2,879 = 10,842

________________________________________

8 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Adding Money

Grab, Add ’N Win!

Ten lucky radio station listeners were chosen to
participate in this year’s 101.3 FM’s annual Grab ’N
Add shopping spree. They had 101.3 seconds to grab
as much as they could. However, only the participant
whose item prices added up closest to—but not more
than—$101.30 got to keep it all. Who was that? Do
the math and write your answers on the blanks
below. Then circle the name of the winner!

Name Items and prices Total value

1. Deena $40 blouse, $10 book, $30 pair of sunglasses

2. Noelle $15 board game, $42.50 software,

$12 earrings, $31 scarf

3. Gerry $28.99 basketball, $72.89 sneakers

4. Raphael $1.75 picture frame, $14 video,

$3.50 magazine, $81 camera

5. Francesca $51 jacket, $22.30 bookends, $25.68 gumball

machine, $2.33 bag of gumballs

6. Joel $38 travel bag, $16.70 canteen, $37.50 raincoat,

$9.08 compact disc

7. Alexandra $29.99 heart-shaped waffle iron, $15.75

heart-shaped picture frame, $20 heart-shaped
box of chocolates, $24 heart-shaped mirror

8. Samantha $69 pink bicycle, $29.99 bicycle helmet,

$13.75 bicycle accessories

9. Sebastian $79.99 cell phone, $19.99 sports jersey,

$1.50 candy bar

10. Anthony $35 skateboard, $10 poster,

$19.99 lava lamp

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 9
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Subtraction

Desperately Seeking 68
Look at the groups of numbers below.
Rearrange them in the correct order so that
when you subtract, the difference equals 68.
There’s only one correct answer for each.
We’ve done the first one for you.

1. 2 1 5 4 2 122 – 54 = 68
____________________________________

2. 7 9 7 _______________________________________

3. 9 5 3 2 _____________________________________

4. 3 1 0 1 3 __________________________________

5. 6 6 8 3 1 __________________________________

6. 2 1 0 5 8 __________________________________

7. 0 1 2 0 1 7 ________________________________

8. 9 7 2 3 5 3 ________________________________

9. 1 2 3 5 5 9 ________________________________

10. 6 7 9 6 7 9 ________________________________

YOUR TURN
Create your own number mix that can be rearranged to form a subtraction
equation that equals 86.

10 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Subtraction

Numberless Subtraction
When you think of the word unicycle, do you
think of the number one? Many people don’t,
even though the word contains the prefix uni-,
which means one. Below, you’ll find several
words, phrases, or places associated with a
number. Figure out the number for each, then
subtract and find the difference. You may use
reference books if you need help. We’ve done
the first one for you.

3–1=2
1. Tripod – unicorn = _____________________________

2. Quintuplets – quartet = _____________________________

3. Valentine’s Day – Groundhog Day = _____________________________

4. Octagon – pentagon = _____________________________

5. Planets in our solar system – continents = _____________________________

6. U.S. senators – U.S. states = _____________________________

7. Minutes in an hour – days in September = _____________________________

8. Year the Declaration of Independence was signed –

year Columbus first landed in the Americas = _____________________________

9. Millennium year – the year exactly one

century before the millennium = _____________________________

10. Tetrahedron – quadrant = _____________________________

YOUR TURN
Create a numberless subtraction equation like the ones above.

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 11
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Subtracting Money

Big Spenders
Who’s the biggest spender in the group of people
listed below? You’ll need to subtract some money to
find out. Write how much money each person had
left over after making purchases at the drugstore. Then
rank each spender according to who was richest before
(#1) to who’s richest now (#8).

Purchase Price:
book — $5.99 vitamins — $8.25
laundry detergent — $7.50 notebook — $0.99
box of pens — $1 cotton balls — $1.99
toothbrush — $2.49 garbage bags — $4.59

Name Total money Items purchased Money left over Rank

1. Juan $14 book, cotton balls

2. Kevin $17 box of pens,

garbage bags

3. Mike $18.59 book, toothbrush,

vitamins

4. Dara $8.75 cotton balls,

toothbrush

5. Randi $12.13 notebook,

box of pens

6. Seth $21.80 laundry detergent (2),

cotton balls

7. Darren $40.06 garbage bags,

vitamins (3)

8. Raquel $23 book (2), box of

pens (2), vitamins

12 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Addition and Subtraction

A Perfect Match
Each number in column 1 is
separated by exactly 343 from
a number in column 2. It is
either 343 more than or 343
less than a column 2 number.
Add or subtract to find out
the pairs that are 343 apart.
Then draw a line from one
column to the other linking
the pairs together.

Column 1 Column 2

656 818

251 594

854 456

799 914

686 1,226

475 999

976 343

466 511

1,257 123

883 633

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 13
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Addition and Subtraction

Eight Is Great
It’s the year 2000, and eight-year-old
Stephanie is celebrating her birthday on
the same day her family is having a
reunion. To celebrate Stephanie’s
birthday, instead of name badges,
everyone is wearing the number of years
before Stephanie they were born. Use
those numbers to answer the questions in
the chart below and figure out what year
each of these family members was (or
will be) eight years old.

Stephanie’s… Badge says Year born Year turned eight

1. father 29

2. mother 28

3. great-grandfather 79

4. great-grandmother 77

5. grandmother 55

6. grandfather 54

7. aunt 23

8. uncle 27

9. brother 5

10. dog (in human years!) 1

11.

YOUR TURN
How many years before Stephanie were you born? Add your information to
the bottom of the chart in the space provided.

14 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Dividing With Money Amounts

Radio Riches
Several local radio stations are running wild
promotions with cash prizes. Want to take part?
First, figure out how much each station’s award is
when calculated on a daily basis. Use division to
calculate each offer and write your answers in the last
column of the chart. We’ve done the first one for you.

Radio Money For how Amount of money

station offered If listener does what long when calculated daily

1. WDEA $1,000 lives in tree house 2 weeks $1000 ÷ 14 = $71.43

2. WSMK $500 doesn’t talk 1 day

3. WMLC $5,000 wears earmuffs

everywhere 30 days

4. WAJD $2,500 hands out radio station

bumper stickers 1 week

5. WMRP $1,500 tutors children after

school 3 weeks

6. WWFD $10,000 cleans litter off local

streets 25 days

7. WPET $750 finds homes for stray

dogs and cats 3 days

8. WWHY $25,000 trains and runs in the

marathon to promote
station’s fitness campaign 75 days

9. WHIP $3,000 writes catchy new

slogan for station 5 days

10. WZZZ $7,500 gets the most donations 7 days

from people in support
of station fundraiser

Which contest or contests would you want to enter and why?

__________________________________________________________________________________

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 15
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Dividing With Money Amounts

Tag Sale Tally

Every year, Sean sells some compact discs
from his huge collection at his family’s
tag sale. Every year, he slightly raises the
price for each CD. Put the tag sale prices
in order from the earliest tag sale (least
expensive) to most recent tag sale (most
expensive). To do this, you’ll need to
figure out how much each CD costs in
each year. There is only one correct order.

Tag sale price Cost per CD Rank (1=earliest,

10=most recent)

12 CDs for $6.00

8 CDs for $6.00

4 CDs for $8.00

7 CDs for $7.00

9 CDs for $2.25

4 CDs for $6.00

5 CDs for $9.95

4 CDs for $10.00

5 CDs for $14.95

5 CDs for $4.95

16 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Inverse Operations

Good Things Come in Threes

Three of the four numbers in each series
below can be used to create four equations
that are true. Rearrange the three numbers to
find one true equation. Then, thanks to
inverse operations, you will always be able
to find three more equations that are true.
We’ve done the first one for you.

Numbers Equations

1. 28, 4, 12, 7 28 ÷ 7 = 4 , 28 ÷ 4 = 7, 4 x 7 = 28, and 7 x 4 = 28

_______________________________________________________________

2. 4, 6, 3, 7 _______________________________________________________________

3. 38, 26, 2, 19 _______________________________________________________________

4. 9, 36, 3, 4 _______________________________________________________________

5. 17, 13, 5, 12 _______________________________________________________________

6. 18, 32, 48, 50 _______________________________________________________________

7. 56, 54, 9, 6 _______________________________________________________________

8. 76, 6, 19, 4 _______________________________________________________________

9. 20, 2, 25, 5 _______________________________________________________________

10. 6, 42, 7, 49 _______________________________________________________________

YOUR TURN
Put together a sequence of four numbers like the ones above and see
if your classmates can figure out the three numbers that form a true
equation.

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 17
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Solving Equations

Number Pole
You’ve probably seen lots of barber poles, but have
you ever seen a number pole? To complete the
number pole below, you’ll need to solve each
equation by adding, subtracting, multiplying, or
dividing. How do you know which operation to
choose? Find the solution that yields a number that
helps the center of the number pole go from 1 at
the top to 9 at the bottom. An answer can have
either two or three digits. There is only one correct
answer for each. We’ve done the first one for you.

Number pole

+ 14 =
1. 17 ___ 3 1

2. 84 ___ 7 = 2

3. 54 ___ 16 = 3

4. 16 ___ 4 = 4

5. 32 ___ 8 = 5

6. 124 ___ 42 = 6

7. 651 ___ 273 = 7

8. 1,440 ___ 3 = 8

9. 377 ___ 13 = 9

YOUR TURN
Create a number pole that starts with 12 and goes to 21. The
answers to your equations can have answers with either two, three,
or four digits.

18 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Order of Operations

Meanie Genie
The Meanie Genie grants three wishes, but only to students
who know their math—including the correct order of
operations. Anyone who gets the math correct in Genie’s
math challenge will receive ALL his or her wishes. Anyone
who gets even one equation wrong receives NO wishes!
Check each person’s math, and circle yes or
no to show which students’ wishes will be TIP Order of operations is important.
Do multiplication first, then division,
granted. We’ve done the first one for you. next addition, and finally subtraction!

1. Darrel Genie’s challenge Equals Darrel’s wishes: YES or NO?

45 – 36 – 8 = 1 new bike
3 x 16 ÷ 6 ÷ 4 = 2 world peace
19 – 10 + 3 = 12 sunshine every day

Darrel gets no wishes granted because

Meanie Genie explains: ___________________________________________________
he got one wrong! (The third equation should equal 6.)
_______________________________________________________________________________

2. Jake Genie’s challenge Equals Jake’s wishes: YES or NO?

65 ÷ 13 – 4 = 1 catch a ball in a baseball stadium
8 x 3 ÷ 12 = 2 tacos for lunch every day
6 + 5 + 3 – 11 = 3 go inside a space shuttle

Meanie Genie explains: ___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

3. Cecilia Genie’s challenge Equals Cecilia’s wishes: YES or NO?

1x1x0= 0 new dress
4÷4+0+1= 2 no puppies without homes
30 – 10 ÷ 2 = 5 ice cream shop opens on her street

Meanie Genie explains: ___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

4. Daniela Genie’s challenge Equals Daniela’s wishes: YES or NO?

36 ÷ 4 + 1– 9 = 1 visit a movie set
100 ÷ 5 x 2 – 8 = 2 see her name in the newspaper
3+4+8÷2= 11 new car for her parents

Meanie Genie explains: ___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 19
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Fraction Word Problems

Get the Scoop!

It’s the annual ice cream scooping contest
where people compete to see who can stack
the most scoops of ice cream. Last year’s
winner, Darby, had 24 scoops! How did this
year’s participants do? Use the clues to find
out. Then write the winner’s name in the
blank below.

Participants Clues Number of scoops

1. Zaura one scoop chocolate chip, two caramel

swirl, four raspberry

2. Ellis twelve scoops cookie dough, half as many

mint chocolate chip

3. Clara six scoops banana, twice as many fudge

swirl

4. Darby three scoops vanilla, four times as many

chocolate

5. Chang five scoops strawberry, half as many

raspberry as Zaura

6. Thelma 20 scoops rocky road, one-fourth as

many butter pecan, and one-fifth as many
cookies and cream as butter pecan

7. Deon half as many banana as Clara, one-third

mint chocolate chip as banana, and ten
times caramel swirl as mint chocolate chip

8. Gabriela twelve scoops vanilla, two-thirds that

amount of cinnamon stick, and three times
as many super fudge chunk as cinnamon
stick

This year’s super scooper is ___________________________________!

20 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Whole Number Computation

The Number Shuffle

Below are two really “cool” fun fact
riddles. In order to find the answer you’ll
need to shuffle some numbers. Write the
solution to each equation in the blank
and also in the first blank of the next
equation. The solution of the last
equation will give you the riddle answer!
We’ve done the first one for you.

How many square miles is America’s

largest city, Juneau, Alaska?

390 = 426
1. 36 + _______

2. _______ + 876 = _______

3. 486 + _______ = _______

4. _______ – 654 = _______

5. _______ x 3 = _______

6. 6,402 – _______ = _______

Riddle answer:
America’s largest city is ___________________ square miles.

How many degrees below zero does it sometimes get in the coldest place in the
United States?

7. 59 + _______ = 209

8. _______ – 79 = _______

9. 639 + _______ = _______

10. _______ – 560 = _______

11. _______ ÷ 30 = _______

12. 85 – _______ = _______

Riddle answer:
The temperature can drop to __________ degrees below zero in Alaska.

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 21
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Solving Operations

A-Maze-ing!
To run through this maze, you’ll need to
add, subtract, multiply, and divide. To get
from start to finish, shade only the boxes
where the number can equal exactly 18
using the suggested operation. Positive
numbers only please!

Examples:

5x ➔ don’t shade: no number can be multiplied by 5 to evenly equal 18

6x ➔ shade: 6 x 3 = 18
11 + ➔ shade: 11 + 7 = 18
31 + ➔ don’t shade: no number can be added to 31 to equal 18

START

18 + 54 ÷ 32 ÷ 36 + 48 ÷ 98 ÷

42 ÷ 9x 20 + 12 x 54 + 9–

19÷ 4+ 19 + 15 – 4x 22 ÷

25 + 108 ÷ 21 – 38 ÷ 16 – 96 ÷

15 – 0x 18 – 36 ÷ 36 – 100 +

3– 26 ÷ 78 ÷ 8x 2x 14 x

7x 28 + 24 + 56 ÷ 199 – 17 –

64 ÷ 92 ÷ 12 – 44 ÷ 18 x 702 ÷

10 x 36 x 30 + 11 x 146 ÷ 3x

FINISH
YOUR TURN
Create a maze in which a friend or family member must find his or her way
through by shading every operation that can be completed to equal 30.

22 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Mental Math

Lights, Camera, Action!

You’re the assistant producer for the popular
game show “Who Wants to Win Ten l come to
We
Dollars?” On the show, contestants have ten
seconds to solve an equation. Then they must ”Who Wants
guess which of four doors the correct answer to Win
is hidden behind. Winning requires skill and Ten Dollars?”
luck. The show’s producer has just given you
the equations for tomorrow’s show, each
accompanied by four possible answers (one
for each door). Solve each equation and circle the correct answer so the producer
will know when to give out the prize money.

Equation Producer’s possible answers

1. 56 + 46 = 100 101 102 106

2. 62 – 26 = 63 36 26 16

3. 48 x 4 = 129 188 208 192

4. 340 ÷ 68 = 5 6 18 4

5. 23 + 59 = 80 82 83 85

6. 6 x 33 = 199 145 198 186

7. 656 ÷ 8 = 80 82 83 85

8. 562 – 268 = 294 298 268 283

9. 76 x 76 = 5,243 5,657 5,776 6,557

10. 1,446 + 327 = 1,772 1,773 1,779 1,777

11. 133 x 25 = 3,333 3,395 3,325 3,345

12. 1,482 ÷ 13 = 116 118 113 114

YOUR TURN
Pretend you’re a contestant on the game show. Try to solve the following
equation within ten seconds:
689 ÷ 13 = _______________.

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 23
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Computation

Reaching the Top

It takes more than climbing skills to reach the top of these ladders! Our climbers
need to know how to do math. In order to climb to the next rung, each equation
must be correct. Check our climbers’ math to see who climbed the highest.

1. 3.
23 x 56 = 1,288 15,376 ÷ 62 = 248

412 + 963 = 1,375 39 x 81 = 4,733

586 ÷ 8 = 86 836 – 463 = 373

764 – 413 = 351 259 ÷ 3 = 65

88 + 89 = 177 45 x 11 = 495

105 ÷ 7 = 15 616 ÷ 77 = 8

36 ÷ 9 = 4 76 ÷ 19 = 4

16 x 3 = 48 91 – 49 = 42
Paula Malik

2. 4.
1,644 ÷ 68 = 34 352 + 871 = 1,423

98 x 13 = 1,274 1,272 ÷ 86 = 20

217 + 508 = 725 900 – 675 = 380

870 – 96 = 774 271 x 2 = 378

15 x 16 = 240 64 – 48 = 15

121 – 85 = 36 1,088 ÷ 17 = 64

57 ÷ 19 = 3 32 x 34 = 1,088

47 x 4 = 188 14 + 18 = 32
José Audrey

Who climbed the highest? __________________________________

24 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Computation

Harvest Riddle

For each pair of numbers, separately complete

four operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication,
and division. (Always subtract the smaller from the
larger, and always divide the smaller into the larger.)
EXAMPLE: 45, 5
Addition: 45 + 5 = 50
Subtraction: 45 – 5 = 40
Multiplication: 45 x 5 = 225
Division: 5÷5=9

Shade all results in the grid. When you’re done, hold this page at arm’s length
from your face, and you’ll see the answer to this riddle:

How many legs does a harvestman have? __________________________

1. 64, 8 _______________________________________________________________________

2. 18, 3 _______________________________________________________________________

3. 35, 7 _______________________________________________________________________

4. 6, 0 ________________________________________________________________________

60 9 258 130 1

12 56 15 512 182

19 54 79 6 14

25 5 28 72 76

168 8 44 245 954

201 42 0 21 26

55 87 4 34 51

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 25
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Number Patterns

Three’s a Charm

Within each series of numbers below are three numbers that are the same number
apart from one another. To find the three numbers, you’ll need to decide what
was added to each number to get to the next number. Once you’ve identified the
evenly spaced trio in each series, write the three numbers in the chart. Also, tell
how many apart each trio member is from the next. We’ve done the first one
for you.

Number series Evenly spaced trio How many apart

from one another?

1. 3, 19, 22, 28, 41, 44 3, 22, 41 19

2. 26, 29, 36, 39, 40, 43

3. 14, 18, 25, 30, 34, 50

4. 11, 30, 46, 81, 87, 103

5. 48, 63, 116, 142, 221, 298

6. 23, 37, 49, 58, 65, 79

7. 13, 19, 27, 64, 87, 115

8. 1,356; 2,218; 2,323;

2,376; 2,428; 3,244

YOUR TURN
Create a series of numbers of your own that has three numbers that
are evenly spaced apart. See if your classmates can identify the trio of
numbers and tell how many apart they are.

26 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Number Patterns

Find the Bookend

Each number pattern on the list below is
followed by a second list of numbers. One
number from the second list fits at either the
beginning or the end of the sequence, like a
bookend! Figure out the number pattern.
Then fill in the chart below by answering the
questions. We’ve done one for you.

Number patterns List Which number Beginning Description

belongs? or end? of pattern

1. 4, 6, 8, 10 3, 9, 12 12 end numbers
increase by 2

2. 5, 10, 15 0, 1, 5, 25

3. 8, 13, 18, 23 3, 5, 15, 33

4. 12, 14, 20, 22,

28, 30 4, 10, 32, 36

5. 43, 39, 35, 31 46, 44, 27, 25

6. 116, 109, 102 125, 123,

119, 94

7. 2, 4, 3, 5, 4, 6, 5 8, 9, 7, 10

8. 77, 76, 84, 83, 67, 70,

91, 90, 98, 97 98, 105

9. 0, 3, 7, 12, 31, 32, 33, 34

18, 25

10. 800, 400, 200, 75, 50, 25, 60

100

YOUR TURN
Create a number pattern of your own. See if your classmates, friends, or
family can figure out the pattern and the correct missing number.

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 27
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Number Patterns

Abracadabra!
Paula just started classes at a school for magicians where
the first thing they test is the power of observation—
an important ability for all magicians-to-be! What kind
of magician would you make? See how quickly you
can figure out what rule three of the four sets of
numbers in each group follow. Then cross out the set
of numbers that does not follow that rule. Use the space
provided to explain the rule. The faster you figure it out,
the sooner you’ll be awarded your magic wand!

Group 1: Set A: 536, 625, 563, 365

Set B: 3,241; 1,423; 4,132; 3,441
Set C: 4,596; 4,598; 8,945; 9,584
Set D: 67,302; 70,326; 28,076; 27,360

Rule: _______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Group 2: Set A: 21, 54, 89, 76

Set B: 876, 954, 654, 321
Set C: 2,310; 5,432; 8,765; 4,321
Set D: 65,432; 98,765; 56,432; 87,654

Rule: _______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Group 3: Set A: 214, 326, 498, 170

Set B: 336, 438, 781, 264
Set C: 848, 418, 274, 172
Set D: 201, 204, 316, 458

Rule: _______________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

YOUR TURN
Create your own “abracadabra” problem for a friend to solve.

28 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Number Patterns

Pyramid Challenge
Each “pyramid” below is missing some “bricks.” To plug the holes, you’ll need to
figure out the number pattern in each pyramid’s sequence of numbers. Start at the
top and read left to right, writing in the missing numbers that complete each
sequence on the correct bricks. Describe the pattern on the lines provided.

1. 4 _______________________________________
9 14 19
_______________________________________
24 29 39 44
49 59 64 69 74 _______________________________________

2.
_______________________________________
7 9 16
_______________________________________
18 25 27 36
43 52 54 61 63 _______________________________________

3. 88 _______________________________________
82 79
_______________________________________
76 73 67 64
58 52 46 43 _______________________________________

4. 31 _______________________________________
30 35
_______________________________________
41 40 45 51
50 55 60 66 _______________________________________

YOUR TURN
Try this bonus challenge and see if you can figure out the number
pattern. (Hint: It doesn’t involve addition or subtraction.)

12 _______________________________________
3 24 6
_______________________________________
48 12 24 192
_______________________________________
384 96 192 1536

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 29
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Number Patterns

Think Ahead
Having a crystal ball won’t help you
complete this chart, but understanding
number patterns will. For each number
on the left, find the next highest
number in which:

A) every digit is the same

(examples: 99; 222; 4,444)

B) the digits are consecutively

greater by 1
(examples: 67; 345; 5,678)

The first one is done for you.

Number A B

1. 12 22 23
2. 78

3. 156

4. 333

5. 669

6. 1,108

7. 2,247

8. 5,566

9. 7,901

10. 9,999

YOUR TURN
Make your own number pattern chart for a friend to complete.

30 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Division

Hit the Road

If one digit in each number listed
below “hits the road” (is removed),
the remaining number will be evenly
divisible by 9. Circle the number you
would remove and write the new
number. Then check your work by
dividing the new number by 9. We’ve
done the first one for you.

Original number New number Check your division here.

1. 8 4 1 = 81 81 ÷ 9 = 9

2. 127

3. 263

4. 1,395

5. 1,880

6. 3,206

7. 5,385

8. 20,151

9. 28,531

10. 94,122

YOUR TURN
Can you figure out a pattern among the digits in the numbers that are
evenly divisible by nine? Explain the pattern here.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 31
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Division

Sum Good Facts

How good are you at trivia? The following questions
will test your math skills while adding facts about
space, science, and American History to your trivia
bank. Do the math and you’ll find the answer to
each question.

Trivia question Answer

1. How many humans had walked on the moon by 1972?
➔ Add the numbers from this list that divide evenly into 16
to get the answer: 10, 5, 4, 8.
2. Arizona was which number state admitted to the Union?
➔ Add the numbers from this list that are evenly divisible by
6 to get the answer: 44, 12, 20, 36.
3. On December 17, 1903, the Wright Brothers flew the world’s first
engine plane several times. How many seconds did the longest
flight of the day last?
➔ Add the number from this list that is evenly divisible by 4
to the one that is evenly divisible by 9 to get the answer:
27, 10, 42, 32.
4. A whisper is 10 decibels loud. A lawn mower is 70. How many
decibels is thunder?
➔ Add all of the numbers that are evenly divisible by 3 or 7 to
get the answer: 63, 27, 34, 46.
5. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was written in 1814. How many years
later did it become the national anthem?
➔ Add the numbers from this list that are evenly divisible by 9
to get the answer: 64, 49, 45, 72.
6. A bicentennial celebrates a 200-year anniversary. How many years
does a sesquicentennial celebrate?
➔ Add all of the answers from the right column of the chart
that are evenly divisible by 6 to get the answer.

YOUR TURN
Research your own fun fact that involves a number, then create a puzzler
for it like the ones above to try out on a classmate or family member.

32 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Comparing Numbers

STRENGTH in Numbers
Everyone knows there are 26 letters in the alphabet. Letter a is the first, b is the
second, c is the third, and so on. Below are several statements concerning
numbers. Write whether each statement is true or false by changing each letter of
each word to their number equivalent in the alphabet and adding them together.
We’ve done the first one for you.

Greater than or less than? Do the math True or false?

1. six > zero s i x z e r o

19 + 9 + 24 > 26 + 5 + 18 + 15 false
(52 > 64)
2. nine > seven

3. two > one

4. twelve > eight

5. eighty > sixty

6. fifty > thirteen

7. thirty-one > twenty-one

8. seventy-four > forty-seven

YOUR TURN
Create three “greater than” statements using the word form of numbers
and ask a classmate, friend, or family member to determine if they’re true
or false.

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 33
 Date _______________________________

34
Name ______________________________________________________________________

Prime Numbers

Prime Time for Prime Numbers A prime number is greater than 1 and
cannot be evenly divided by any other
Prime time is a television term meaning the period between 8 P.M. and 11 number besides 1 and itself. For example,
P.M.—the time when the most people watch TV. Ed is doing research on 11 is a prime number because any other
television quality so he must watch a lot of TV. This is his TV-watching number besides 1 and 11 cannot evenly
schedule for next week. Circle the shows that are both on a prime number divide it. The number 12 is not a prime
channel and shown during prime time. Channels are listed in boldface number because, besides 1 and 12, it can
after the shows. be evenly divided by 2, 3, 4, and 6.

Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

7 P.M. Circle of Riches Friendly Peril 59 Twist City 18 Relatives Toodles 22 Judge Julie 68
8 Neighbors 13 Rumble 4
8 P.M. Everybody The Sullivans 14 Hippy Daze 62 Just Tell Me 43 Who Wants to Shipwreck 73 Doherty, Utah
Leaves Richard 3 Be a Matador 51 Baker 7
9 P.M. WWF—World Charlie Tulip 9 The Not Very Little Horse on 10/10 1 Cotton Puff America’s Most
Whispering Late Show 85 the Prairie 29 Girls 56 Washed 47
Federation 89
10 P.M. RSVP Yellow 97 Danger! 41 Fries to Order 2 The West Park South Wing 16 The Penny 38 Minutes 38
54 Poppy Show 21
11 P.M. News at Eleven America’s Most Wednesday When Inside the The Price Is High The Y-Factors
5 Boring Home Night Snowmen Actor’s Locker 6 100
Videos 59 Prerecorded 61 Attack 49 31

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
YOUR TURN
Make a list all the prime numbers under 100 on the back of this page.
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Exponents

Little Number, BIG Impact

A shortcut for writing 2 x 2 x 2 is 23.
The number that is written above and to
the right of another number is called an
exponent. Insert an exponent to the right
of each number in column A so that it
equals the number in column B.
We’ve done the first one for you.

A B
2
1. 4 16

2. 6 216

3. 8 64

4. 9 729

5. 2 68

6. 4 256

7. 3 2,187

8. 11 14,641

9. 25 15,625

10. 47 103,823

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 35
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Adding With Decimals

Tic-Tac-Decimal
One row in each grid below adds up to a number in one of the other boxes in the
grid. The row can be across, down, or diagonal. Put a line through the row and
circle the row’s sum in each grid. We’ve done the first one for you.

1. 4.

5.1 11.0 4.0 12.3 43.4 16.7

9.2 6.0 2.3 13.4 15.1 14.9

15.2 19.0 4.1 41.5 8.6 36.8

2. 5.

2.0 3.1 1.7 20.9 11.7 30.6

6.2 3.5 6.8 3.5 55.9 8.2

5.4 2.1 1.2 5.0 5.4 17.1

3. 6.

6.3 9.3 18.9 10.2 9.7 .33

13.9 7.1 12.3 3.4 .29 .5

5.6 2.5 3.5 .46 2.1 1.08

36 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Adding With Decimals

Defying Physics
Remove one number from the middle or bottom row of each pyramid so that the
remaining numbers will add up exactly to the number at the top of the pyramid.
Don’t worry, the pyramid will not fall! Circle the number you would remove for
each. We’ve done the first one for you.
Make sure the decimal points line up when you
TIP add. Round up to the nearest tenth if you have to.

1. 4.
2.71 7.15
.13 .21 .8 5.2 .7 .32
.28 .6 .5 .19 .4 4.3 .34 .3 .75 .44

2. 5.
6.5 6.55
.7 1.4 3.0 .98 .38 .34
.17 .6 .89 .22 .12 .115 .27 1.30 .20 .30
.23 .432 .56 .01 1.1 1.23 .4

3. 6.
11.99 16.5
6.1 2.0 .41 .45 .675 1.4
.18 1.6 .2 1.35 .1 2.13 .33 .18 .02 4.1
.18 .09 1.3 .77 .945 3.2 .88

YOUR TURN
Make your own pyramid for a friend or family member to solve.

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 37
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Rounding Decimals

Puzzle Time
What’s the power of a dot? A lot, if the dot is a decimal point! Complete the
cross-number puzzle below by rounding each number as indicated. (Hint: Place
each decimal point in a square of its own.) We’ve done the first one for you.

1 2 3 4
. 3

10 11

12

Across Down

1. .347 to tenths 2. 36.7435 to hundredths

3. 635.127 to hundredths 3. 63.566 to tenths
5. 8.55 to tenths 4. 10.6589 to thousandths
7. 63.87 to tenths 6. 9.3573 to hundredths
10. 2.456 to tenths 11. 5.679 to tenths
12. 1, 768.677 to hundredths

38 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Subtracting With Decimals

Time for a Laugh

What did the judge give the thief who stole a
calendar? To find the answer to this riddle, you
need to subtract decimals. Solve each problem
below. Then circle the letter next to the correct
answer for each equation. Use the letters to
find the riddle answer in the box below. We’ve
done the first one for you.
Make sure you line up
TIP the decimal points!

1. 3.74 – 2.54 = 5. 8.8 – 4.4 = 9. 1 – 0.75 =

T 1.2 U 4.6 T 0.25
A 1.4 W 4.4 P 1.25

2. 5.1 – 2.72 = 6. 6.23 – 0.56 = 10. 72.6 – 18.9 =

B 2.67 Q 4.67 M 53.7
L 2.38 O 5.67 R 65.3

3. 10.95 – 5.43 7. 7 – 2.35 11. 9 – 8.92

E 5.52 B 3.54 F 0.32
Z 5.89 N 4.65 H 0.08

4. 0.48 – 0.27 8. 5 – 0.6 = 12. 21.45 – 0.92 =

I 0.29 S 4.4 Y 20.55
V 0.21 I 4.35 E 20.53

Riddle Answer

T
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____
1 5 3 2 4 12 10 6 7 9 11 8

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 39
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Lowest Terms

Get Cracking!
There’s a fraction that describes the
break pattern in each set of broken
objects below. Do the math and identify
the fraction, making sure you reduce it
to its lowest terms. We’ve done the first
one for you.

Broken objects Break pattern

1. light bulbs
20-watt bulb broke 60-watt bulb broke 100-watt bulb broke Number of pieces =
into 10 pieces into 30 pieces into 50 pieces 1/2 wattage
2. ceramic vases
15-pound vase broke 30-pound vase broke 105-pound vase
into 3 pieces into 6 pieces broke into 21 pieces
3. sheets of glass
20-square-foot sheet 96-square-foot sheet 400-square-foot
of glass broke into 5 of glass broke into sheet of glass broke
pieces 24 pieces into 100 pieces
4. dinner plates
12-year-old plate 30-year-old plate 72-year-old plate
broke into 4 pieces broke into 10 pieces broke into 24 pieces
5. computer monitor
16-inch monitor 20-inch monitor 24-inch monitor
broke into 12 pieces broke into 15 pieces broke into 18 pieces
6. crystal lamp
10-inch-tall lamp 15-inch-tall lamp 20-inch-tall lamp
broke into 6 pieces broke into 9 pieces broke into 12 pieces
7. glass mirror
48-inch round mirror 32-inch round mirror 72-inch round mirror
broke into 42 pieces broke into 28 pieces broke into 63 pieces
8. French doors
15 window panes, 18 window panes, 21 window panes,
10 cracked 12 cracked 14 cracked

40 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Multiplying Fractions

Balloon Journey
The helium-filled balloons listed below
just landed in your yard. How many
miles did they travel to get there? Do the
math and find out. Then circle the color
of the balloon that traveled the farthest.
We’ve done the first one for you.

Color of
balloon Distance traveled Total miles

1. red traveled 440 miles over land 440 x 58 = 275

plus 58 as many miles over water 440 + 275 = 715 miles
2. yellow traveled 580 miles over water
plus 34 as many miles over land

3. purple traveled 234 miles over land plus

2
3 as many miles over water

4. green traveled 702 miles over land plus

7
9 as many miles over water

5. orange traveled 693 miles over water plus

6
7 as many miles over land

6. blue traveled 714 miles over land plus

1
6 as many miles over water

7. white traveled 820 miles over water plus

4
5 as many miles over land

8. black traveled 368 miles over land plus

7
8 as many miles over water

9. pink traveled 125 miles over land plus

2
5 as many miles over water

10. silver traveled 600 miles over land plus

1
6 as many miles over water

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 41
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Fractions

Fraction Action
Only one fraction on the list, when multiplied
by the whole numbers on the path, results in a
whole number every time. To identify which
fraction this is, multiply each fraction by each
whole number on the path. Circle the fraction
when you know which one is the right answer.
1
Example: 3 x 24 = 8
1 1 1 1
Fraction list: 4 6 3 8

Start 24 72 108 144 216 648

822

852

1,512 1,500 1,392 1,296 1,200 1,050 924

1,776

1,806

1,920 2,028 2,061 2,343 2,586 3,435 4,356

Finish

42 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Least Common Denominators

Out of This World

Which planets have the longest years* in our solar system? The answers are on this
page. But to figure them out you’ll need to find the least common denominator
(LCD) for each pair of fractions. Then find the letter for each LCD at the bottom of
the page. Use these letters to write the names of each planet in the blanks.
* Period of orbit around Sun, in Earth years/days.
Example: to find the LCD for 14 and 15 :
Find the first few multiples of each denominator.
Multiples of 4: 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24
Multiples of 5: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25
LCD = 20

1.
4 , 4 1 , 5 2 , 9 5 , 5 4 , 5
5 9 2 7 3 14 9 12 5 4
LCD = _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

The planet with the longest year in our solar system (247 years, 256 days) is:

________________________________________________________________________________

2.
5 , 2 3 , 23 8 , 4 13 , 1; 5 , 1 7 , 15 51 , 1
16 3 8 28 9 15 18 4 42 1 12 16 56 1
LCD = _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

The planet with the second longest year in our solar system (164 years, 298 days) is:

________________________________________________________________________________

3.
1 , 2 1 , 1 1 , 5 1 , 1 17 , 11 5 , 1
10 5 6 4 36 6 42 1 30 20 48 1
LCD = _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________

The planet with the fourth longest year in our solar system (29 years, 168 days) is:

________________________________________________________________________________

S = 10 N = 48 P = 45 T = 36 R = 60 O = 20
U = 42 J = 28 I = 30 E = 56 L = 14 A = 12

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 43
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Improper Fractions

Improper Ages
On Numerdenominaria, ages are measured in
improper fractions. To make the conversion to
Earth years, you’ll have to change each fraction
to a mixed number. (Hint: Be sure it’s in simplest
terms.) Then answer the questions below.

Age on Age
Numerdenominaria on Earth
44
Algie 8
31
Rusie 9
36
Oma 10
21
Newtie 6
120
Lola 16
144
Elbie 12
25
Matia 10
100
Hecta 22
63
Octo 14
130
Velo 20

1. Who is the oldest Numerdenominaria citizen? ____________________________________

2. Who is the youngest? ___________________________________________________________

3. How old will Algie be in two years? (Give your answer in Numerdenominaria
and Earth years.) _______________________________________________________________

44 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Percents and Discounts

Everything Must Go!

The Velocity Vulture Appliance Store is
having a big sale. Prices on all items are
being reduced in an unusual way. Read
the sale terms listed below and then
calculate the new price of each item. If
an item number is divisible by more
than one number, choose the bigger
percentage. We’ve done the first one for
you.
Sale terms: Every item whose model number is evenly divisible by:
12 or 14, is on sale 25% off 20 or 22, is on sale 30% off
13 or 15, is on sale 20% off 27 or 29, is on sale 15% off

Price Evenly
Item/model number before sale divisible by Price after sale

20 and 22 (on $420

1. Pro Chopper 880 $600 sale 30% off) ($600 x .30 = $180;
$600 – 180 = $420)

2. Deluxe Dishwasher 1160 $500

3. Golden Knight 896 $700

4. Quickmaster 1200 $650

5. Great Chef 720 $800

6. Wash ’N Clean 1566 $480

7. Dry ’N White 1400 $400

8. Below Zero 962 $975

Which item is least expensive after the discount? ___________________________________

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 45
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Percents

Get With the Team

Below are resolutions being considered by the newly formed Team of Nations. In
all, there are seven countries in attendance with a total of 38 delegates. For a
resolution to pass, it must receive at least 66% of the vote. Imagine you are the
voting inspector in charge of keeping track of the votes. For each resolution, figure
out the total that voted yes and the percent that is of the total number of
delegates. Then write whether or not it passed. We’ve done the first one for you.

Resolution Yes votes Percent that voted yes Did it pass?

1. Zania 2
To find percentage:
Free ice Funstan 2
cream
20 ÷ 38 = .52 No
Laughland 3
for all Answer: 52%
New Chuckles 4
citizens on
South Giggle 1 Total:
Mondays.
Smilinea 2 20
_______
Jokesalot 6
2. Zania 0
Mandatory Funstan 3
naps. Laughland 1
New Chuckles 2
South Giggle 3 Total:
Smilinea 5 _______
Jokesalot 3
3. Zania 1
A skate Funstan 6
park in Laughland 2
every town. New Chuckles 3
South Giggle 2 Total:
Smilinea 8 _______
Jokesalot 7
4. Zania 1
Ban on Funstan 5
lima beans. Laughland 4
New Chuckles 1
South Giggle 2 Total:
Smilinea 7 _______
Jokesalot 11

46 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Percents

Dino Bone Zone

The Downtown Museum of Modern Antiquities and
Normal Oddities has a strange collection of dinosaur
bones. They have found species that no one else has.
Some of their dinosaur skeletons, however, are
incomplete. Use the information on the chart to rank
these dinosaurs in order of most complete (1) to least
complete (8) depending on how many bones are
missing. We’ve done the first one for you.

Number Number
of bones of bones Percentage of skeleton
Dinosaur present missing that is complete Rank
402 + 28 = 430 total bones
1. Upstairosaurus 402 28 402 ÷ 430 = .93
.93 x 100 = 93%
Answer: 93% complete

2. Licorice Rex 249 231

3. Digitalodor 10 8

4. Fireworkadyl 185 260

5. Bookmarkodon 56 399

6. Studyoteratops 356 21

7. Chaseoraptor 297 54

8. Percentonychus 176 95

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 47
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Division

Milk Money
The Early Bird Elementary School made a
strange investment—a real cow! Now students
can get milk at no charge (if the cow is in a
good mood, that is!). The students below plan
to take advantage of the milk money savings.
Look at how much they spent each day on milk,
what they want to buy, and the cost of that
item. Set up an equation that will tell them how many days they’ll have to save
until they can afford the item next to their name. We’ve done the first one for you.
It’s okay if the equation isn’t exactly the cost of the item they want to buy,
TIP it just has to be enough.

Student Milk money Item wants How many days until he/she
per day to buy Cost can afford the item?

23 days
1. Sue $0.25 book $5.65 $5.65 ÷ .25 = 22 R 15

2. Jacob $0.80 jump rope $10.95

3. Louis $0.35 clock radio $17.50

magazine
4. Molly $0.40 $20.00
subscription

5. Ralph $0.25 book bag $26.47

6. Rosita $0.50 scooter $59.99

7. Tyrone $0.75 hit CD $15.75

8. Karen $0.30 winter jacket $65.00

48 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Consumer Skills

Money Matters
Stuff Mart
The stores on the chart below have sold
out of two products. If they could
reorder only one of the two that they’re S AV E
missing at this time, which one should
they choose? Do the math based on the
sales information provided from each
$
store. Tell which item each store should
NOW!
reorder and explain why.

Product 1/ Product 1/ Product 2/ Product 2/ Which

Store price average price average should they
daily sales daily sales reorder?

1. Gretehen’s dishwasher 10 raisin flakes 8 detergent

General detergent/ cereal/ (10 x 2.99 =
$29.90; 8 x
Store $2.99 $3.19 3.19 = $25.52)

2. The chocolate 18 gum/ 21

Emporium bar/$0.60 $0.49

3. One-Stop apples/ 30 bananas/ 28

Shop $0.25 $0.25

4. Mr. Deals pasta/ 12 soup/ 10

$1.09 $0.89

5. Grocer lettuce/ 26 cucumbers/ 30

Green $1.00 $0.69

6. Stuff Mart batteries/ 15 light bulbs/ 23

$3.99 $2.09

7. Sports soccer shirts/ 7 running 4

World $15.75 shoes/
$31.50

8. Try & Buy baby blue 3 navy blue 7

party dress/ silk tie/
$65.00 $27.00

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 49
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Measurement Equivalents

Find Your Way Out

It all started with Hansel and Gretel dropping
bread crumbs on their path through the forest
to find their way out. Since then, others have
used various (natural or biodegradable) items
instead of bread crumbs to do the same. If
the forest explorers below drop one item every
50 meters, will they have enough to find their
way out? You’ll need to know the metric
system to find out. Do the math, then write
yes or no in the chart below.
The explorers won’t drop an item at the very
TIP start or at the very end of their path.

How many How far will

Forest What does does he/she he/she Will he/she
explorer he/she drop? have? walk? have enough?

1. Jesse corn kernels 75 3 kilometers

2. Warner pine cones 30 2 km

3. Mara cotton balls 65 2.5 km

4. Brianne peanut shells 40 1 km

5. Sylvia big acorns 75 4 km

6. Tomas popcorn kernels 100 7 km

7. Alex daisies 25 1.25 km

8. Jud index cards 50 2.75 km

9. Nathan sunflower seeds 20 1.5 km

10. Livia shells 40 3.5 km

50 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Problem Solving

Guess Your Best

The four math statements in each box below
are missing an operation symbol (+, – , x,
÷). Which one of the four math statements
could NOT equal the number in the middle,
no matter which of the four operations you
try? Try out each possibility. Then circle the
?
correct one and explain your reasoning in the
space provided. There is only one correct answer
for each. We’ve done the first one for you.

1. 4.
6?2 1?3 3?162 89?35
4 54
1?5 1?4 28?26 3?18

The answer is 1?5, because none

___________________________________ ___________________________________
of the four symbols (+, -, ÷, x)
would make this equal four. Here
___________________________________ ___________________________________
is how the other three would
___________________________________
equal four: 6 – 2, 1 + 3, 1 x 4. ___________________________________

2. 5.
2?4 10?2 3?6 90?5
8 18
9?1 56?8 79?62 22?4

___________________________________ ___________________________________

___________________________________ ___________________________________

___________________________________ ___________________________________

3. 6.
93?86 91?13 63?39 47?57
7 4
96?14 5?2 6?17 160?58

___________________________________ ___________________________________

___________________________________ ___________________________________

___________________________________ ___________________________________

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 51
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Problem Solving: Working Backwards

Mark and Darcy’s Game

Mark and Darcy made their own dartboard, then played a few games. Their
dartboard was not designed like a typical board. For one thing, it was not round but
rectangular! Here is what it looked like (the numbers inside each square indicate the
points a spot is worth). Answer the questions below based on the information found
on the dartboard. In some cases, there is more than one correct answer.

15 17 18 20 20 20 18 17 15

17 25 25 27 27 27 25 25 17

18 25 30 33 35 33 30 25 18

20 27 33 37 40 37 33 27 20
50
20 27 35 40 BULL’S 40 35 27 20
EYE

20 27 33 37 20 37 33 27 20

18 25 30 33 35 33 30 25 18

17 25 25 27 27 27 25 25 17

15 17 18 20 20 20 18 17 15

1. Darcy landed on a 33 on her first toss. Mark tied

her in 2 tosses. On what spots did he land? _________________________________

2. Mark got a bull’s eye. Darcy tied him in 3 tosses.

On what spots could she have landed? _________________________________

3. Darcy got a bull’s eye. Mark tied her in 2 tosses.

On what spots could he have landed? _________________________________

4. Darcy had 127 points. Could Mark beat her in

3 tosses, without a bull’s eye? _________________________________

5. When Mark wasn’t looking, Darcy claimed she

got 95 points in 2 tosses. Was she tricking him? _________________________________
6. Mark had 81 points when Darcy tied him in
3 tosses. On what spots could she have landed? _________________________________

52 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Using Tables and Charts

On the Wall
Four cousins kept track of how much they
grew for five years. Two cousins recorded
their height in inches, and two cousins
recorded it in feet. In order to compare, you’ll
have to do some math. The chart below tells
you how each child grew over the years. Use
it to answer the questions below.

Height by year
Child 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Noah 4 ft 4 in 4 ft 6 in 4 ft 10 in 5 ft 3 in 5 ft 4 in 5 ft 5 in
Alison 51 in 54 in 56 in 56 in 59 in 62 in
Sandra 4 ft 4 ft 7 in 5 ft 5 ft 2 in 5 ft 3 in 5 ft 4 in
Nick 49 in 49 in 53 in 57 in 59 in 59 in

1. What years does this chart cover? _______________________________________

2. Who is tallest in each of these years?
2001 _________________ 2002 _________________ 2004 _________________

3. Who is shortest in each of these years?

2000 _________________ 2003 _________________ 2005 _________________
4. Who grew the most during the time
span covered by the chart? _______________________________________
5. How much did the person in the previous
question grow during these years? _______________________________________
6. Who grew the least during the time
span covered by the chart? _______________________________________
7. How much did the person in the previous
question grow during these years? _______________________________________
8. Who had the biggest growth spurt from
one year to the next? Include the years
and how much the person grew. _______________________________________
9. Which two kids didn’t grow at all from
one year to the next? During what years? _______________________________________
10. Predict who you think will end up being
the tallest in the group based on the
information from the chart. _______________________________________

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 53
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Using Tables and Charts

Speed Readers
Ms. Gordon’s class was asked to read
Adventures of the Time Travelers in one
week. They could read as much or little
per day as they wanted, as long as they
all finished on time. The chart below
shows how some students divided their
reading. Use it to answer the questions.

Chapters read by Ms. Gordon’s class

Student Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.
Alan 1–3 4 5–8 0 9–10 11–13 14–16
Lois 0 0 1 2 3–6 7–13 14–16
Barry 1–4 5 6 7–15 0 16 0
June 1–2 3–4 5–9 10–11 12–13 14–15 16
Grant 1–8 9 0 10–11 0 12 13–16
Scott 1–5 6–7 8–10 11–16 0 0 0

1. Based on information in this chart, how many

chapters do students have to read over how many days? _______________________

2. Who was first to finish the book, and on what day

did this happen? ________________________

3. Who read chapter 9 first, and on what day? ________________________

4. Who read the most chapters in one day, how many was
it, and on what day did he or she do this? ________________________

5. What is the earliest day you could ask someone what

chapter 7 is about, and whom would you ask? ________________________

6. Who was the last to read chapter 13, and on what day?

7. Who read the most on the weekend, and how many

chapters? ________________________

8. Who was the second to finish the book, and on

what day? ________________________

9. On what day were the least chapters read by the class? ________________________

10. On what day did the class read the most chapters? ________________________

54 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Logic and Reasoning

Think Inside the Box

How good are you at visualizing shapes? Answer the questions about each figure.
It looks easy, but be careful! Keeping track of what lines belong to which boxes
can be tricky. You can only count individual boxes with no lines inside! We’ve
done the first one for you.

1.

four
a. How many boxes can be made? _______________
b. How many boxes are already fully made? _______________
c. How many are exactly three-fourths made? _______________
d. How many are exactly half made? _______________
e. How many are exactly one-fourth made? _______________
f. How many are not begun? _______________

2.

a. How many boxes of the same size can be made? _______________

b. How many boxes are already fully made? _______________
c. How many are exactly three-fourths made? _______________
d. How many are exactly half made? _______________
e. How many are exactly one-fourth made? _______________
f. How many are not begun? _______________

YOUR TURN
Using graph paper, create your own box of smaller boxes, but leave some
lines out like the ones above. Ask a friend or family member to answer the
same questions about your boxes as you just did.

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 55
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Logic and Reasoning

In Search of Numbers
Numeria is a world where numbers are
living beings, and they have all the same
things humans on Earth do, such as cars,
houses, and newspapers.

This is a page from the classified section

of a Numeria newspaper. Read each
listing and determine what other number
each number is looking for.

NUMERIA TIMES CLASSIFIEDS

WANTED: Number between 1–5 LOOKING: Two-digit number with no
but no odds and nothing evenly straight lines, and no 0s, 3s, or 9s; larg-
divisible by 4 er number first
1. ____________________ 4. ____________________

SEARCHING FOR: Largest two- ARE YOU THE ONE? Largest three-
digit number that can be multi- digit number less than 566 whose
plied by 3 and still be less than 40 digits get consecutively higher

2. ____________________ 5. ____________________

HELP ME FIND: Largest two-digit WHERE IS: Only number between

number whose digits equal 11 100–116 that is evenly divisible by 2, 4,
when added together; no 2s or 3s 6, and 9
3. ____________________ 6. ____________________

YOUR TURN
Write a classified ad in search of the number 8.

56 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Logic and Reasoning

Alien Phenomenon
The year is 3002. Scientists have just
discovered another galaxy with a solar
system in which all nine of its planets are
home to strange robots. There are even
robots on the asteroids in the asteroid
belt between the fourth and fifth planets.

Scientists notice a strange phenomenon. In this newly discovered galaxy, robots on

planets inside the asteroid belt have four fingers per hand. Robots outside the
asteroid belt have five fingers per hand. But, they don’t all have only two hands
like we do! Below is a list of planets in the new galaxy. Write whether each planet
is inside or outside the asteroid belt using all the clues. We’ve done the first one
for you.

Planet Total number of Total number Inside or outside

fingers its robots have of hands the asteroid belt
1. Traeh 10 2 outside
2. Sunev 12
3. Rucremy 16
4. Smar 35
5. Retipuj 25
6. Rutans 4
7. Sunaru 8
8. Enutpen 30
9. Otulp 28

Why? Write equations that show why your answers are correct.

10 ÷ 5 = 2
1. __________________________________ 6. __________________________________

2. __________________________________ 7. __________________________________

3. __________________________________ 8. __________________________________

4. __________________________________ 9. __________________________________

5. __________________________________

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 57
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Logic and Reasoning

One-Hit Wonder
The Hamburger Sisters had one number-
one hit in their rock-and-roll career, but
they can’t remember which year it
happened! Eight possible years are listed
in the box below. Use the clues to
eliminate all but the correct year. (Hint:
Not every clue eliminates a year.)

Possible years
1983 1986 1989 1992
1984 1988 1990 1995

Clues Year(s) eliminated

1. No hits were on the chart between 1991 and 1993.

2. The band formed in 1984.

3. The only year in which the band took a vacation was 1989.

4. The band had no top-ten hits in its first three years.

5. The band never had a hit on both the U.S. and British
charts at the same time.

6. Every song they released in 1987 and 1988 went only as

high as number 3.

7. None of the band’s songs were released after 1994.

8. The band broke up in 1995.

9. The band’s most popular single in 1990 was on the

British chart.

The Hamburger Sisters’ number-one hit was in the year _______________________________.

58 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Logic and Reasoning

Break the Code!

2+2=6
On the planet Rebmun, numbers don’t have the same
meaning as on ours. In the equations below, only the
answer has been translated into the correct equivalent
you would find on Earth. Your job is to translate the
rest. Based on each equation’s sum, figure out what
each Rebmun number is worth on Earth and fill out
the code chart on the bottom of the page. Use the
blanks to help you keep track of your work. You
don’t have to solve the problems in order; in fact, it is
probably easier to skip around! We’ve done the first
one for you.

1. 2 + 2 = 6 ( 2 in Rebmun equals 3 on Earth, because 3 + 3 = 6)

_____________________________________________________________________

2. 3 + 7 = 9 _____________________________________________________________________

3. 9 + 9 = 8 _____________________________________________________________________

4. 4 + 1 = 7 _____________________________________________________________________

5. 7 + 7 = 0 _____________________________________________________________________

6. 9 + 2 = 7 _____________________________________________________________________

7. 0 + 6 = 7 _____________________________________________________________________

8. 5 + 4 = 9 _____________________________________________________________________

9. 6 + 7 = 2 _____________________________________________________________________

10. 5 + 5 =16 _____________________________________________________________________

The Code (Rebmun number = Earth number) is as follows:

0= 1= 2=3 3= 4= 5= 6= 7= 8= 9=

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 59
 Date _______________________________

Name ______________________________________________________________________

Logic and Reasoning

Oops, Wrong Number

Below is a list of wrong numbers. For each
wrong number, use the clue to determine
the number the caller meant to dial.

Wrong number Clue for correct number Correct number

1. 914-4258 completely reverse the order

2. 451-1362 reverse the two sets of numbers

whose sum is 9

3. 654-6922 change every even number to its half

4. 288-2537 replace odd numbers with the next

highest even number

5. 486-2427 change any number that can be

evenly divided in half to a 6

6. 250-7337 triple every number less than 4

7. 529-7395 rewrite the numbers in ascending order

8. 815-6224 subtract the last number from the first

number and change any numbers
evenly divisible by 2 to product of 2 x 2

9. 273-1561 reverse the two numbers whose

product is 30 and reverse the two
numbers whose product is 14

10. 455-6859 replace certain numbers so you’ll end

up with a number pattern of plus one,
minus two

YOUR TURN
Make up a phone number as the wrong number, and create a clue for a
friend or family member to determine the correct number.

60 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Answers
PAGE 6: Time for the Future PAGE 11: Numberless 1. father: 1963, 1971
1. 1866 Subtraction 2. mother: 1964, 1972
2. 1969 2. quintuplets – quartet = 1 (quintuplets 3. great-grandfather: 1913, 1921
3. 1990 are 5 siblings, quartet is a group of 4) 4. great-grandmother: 1915, 1945
4. 1947 3. Valentine’s Day – Groundhog Day = 12 5. grandmother: 1937, 1923
5. 1901 (Valentine’s is February 14, Groundhog 6. grandfather: 1938, 1946
6. 1899 February 2; other reasonable answers, 7. aunt: 1969, 1977
214 – 22 = 192.) 8. uncle: 1965, 1973
PAGE 7: Many Pennies Lane 9. brother: 1987, 1995
4. octagon – pentagon = 3 (octagon has
2. “700 Pennies Lane” 8 sides, pentagon has 5) 10. dog: 1991, 1999
3. “1,525 Pennies Lane” 5. planets in our solar system – 11. Answers will vary.
4. “555 Pennies Lane” continents = 2 (9 planets, 7 continents) PAGE 15: Radio Riches
5. “219 Pennies Lane” 6. U.S. senators – U.S. states=50 (100
6. “4,000 Pennies Lane” Amount of money per day (some dollar
Senators, 50 states) amounts are rounded up):
7. “8,101 Pennies Lane” 7. minutes in an hour – days in
8. “199 Pennies Lane” 2. WSMK = $500.00
September = 30 (hour has 60 minutes, 3. WMLC = $166.67
9. “101 Pennies Lane” September has 30 days)
10. “4,550 Pennies Lane” 4. WAJD = $357.14
8. Declaration of Independence – 5. WMRP = $71.43
11. “400 Pennies Lane” Columbus lands in the Americas = 284
12. “100,000 Pennies Lane” 6. WWFD = $400.00
(1776, 1492) 7. WPET = $250.00
PAGE 8: Half Time 9. millennium year – The year exactly one 8. WWHY = $333.33
2. 15 + 7 + 12 + 34=68 century before the millennium = 100 9. WHIP = $600
3. 11 + 3 + 6 + 2=22 (2000 – 1900). (Some people consider 10. WZZZ = $1,071
4. 21 + 38 + 67 + 8=134 the millennium year 2001, so 101 is
also acceptable.) PAGE 16: Tag Sale Tally
5. 61 + 94 + 33=188
10. tetrahedron – quadrant = 0 (4 – 4; Rank
6. 24 + 30 + 100 + 180 + 26=360 Cost (1= earliest,
7. 77 + 368 + 46 + 245=736 tetra- and quad- are both prefixes that
Purchases per CD 10 = most
8. 610 + 401 + 102 + 107=1,220 mean four.) recent)
9. 239 + 812 + 1,329 + 278=2,658 PAGE 12: Big Spenders 12 CDs for $6.00 $0.50 2
10. 1,035 + 1,507 + 5,421 + 2,879 = 8 CDs for $6.00 $0.75 3
1. Juan—$6.02, 4
10,842 4 CDs for $8.00 $2.00 8
2. Kevin—$11.41,1
Your Turn: In each equation remove the 7 CDs for $7.00 $1.00 5
3. Mike—$1.86, 7
largest number, which is always half of the 9 CDs for $2.25 $0.25 1
4. Dara—$4.27, 6
original sum. 4 CDs for $6.00 $1.50 6
5. Randi—$10.14, 3
5 CDs for $9.95 $1.99 7
PAGE 9: Grab, Add ‘N Win 6. Seth—$4.81, 5
4 CDs for $10.00 $2.50 9
1. Deena—$80.00 7. Darren—$10.72, 2
5 CDs for $14.95 $2.99 10
2. Noelle—$100.50 8. Raquel—$.77,8
5 CDs for $4.95 $0.99 4
3. Gerry—$101.88 PAGE 13: A Perfect Match
4. Raphael—$100.25 PAGE 17: Good Things Come
Numbers in column 2 are rearranged so in Threes
5. Francesca—$101.31
that they’re next to their 343 partner.
6. Joel—$101.28 2. 4 + 3 = 7, 7 - 4 = 3, 7 – 3 = 4,
7. Alexandra—$89.74 Column 1 Column 2 3+4=7
8. Samantha—$122.74 656 999 3. 38 ÷ 2 = 19, 38 ÷ 19 = 2, 19 x 2 = 38,
9. Sebastian—$101.48 251 594 2 x 19 = 38
10. Anthony—$64.99 854 511 4. 36 ÷ 9 = 4, 36 ÷ 4 = 9, 4 x 9 = 36,
799 456 9 x 4 = 36
PAGE 10: Desperately 686 343 5. 5 + 12 = 17, 12 + 5 = 17, 17 - 5 = 12,
Seeking 68 475 818 17 – 12 = 5
2. 797 ➔ 77 – 9 = 68 976 633 6. 18 + 32 = 50, 32 + 18 = 50,
3. 9532 ➔ 93 – 25 = 68 466 123 50 - 32 = 18, 50 - 32 = 18
4. 31013 ➔ 101 – 33 = 68 1,257 914 7. 54 ÷ 9 = 6, 54 ÷ 6 = 9, 9 x 6 = 54,
5. 66831 ➔ 36 – 68 = 68 883 1,226 6 x 9 = 54
6. 21058 ➔ 50 – 42 = 68 PAGE 14: Eight Is Great 8. 76 ÷ 19 = 4, 76 ÷ 4 = 19, 19 x 4 = 76,
7. 012017 ➔ 170 – 102 = 68 4 x 19 = 76
Explanation: Stephanie is eight in 2000, so
8. 972353 ➔ 395 – 327 = 68 9. 20 + 5 = 25, 5 + 20 = 25, 25 - 5 = 20,
she was born in 1992. Stephanie’s father
9. 123559 ➔ 591 – 523 = 68 25 - 20 = 5
wears a badge reading “29,” which means
10. 679679 ➔ 767 – 699 = 68 10. 42 ÷ 7 = 6, 42 ÷ 6 = 7, 7 x 6 = 42,
he was born 29 years before she was. 1992
– 29 = 1963, the year Stephanie’s father 6 x 7 = 42
was born. 1963 + 8 = 1971, the year
Stephanie’s father turned eight

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 61
 Answers
PAGE 18: Number Pole 8. 294 298 268 283 PAGE 28: Abracadabra!
2. 12, ÷ 9. 5,243 5,657 5,776 6,557 Group 1: All numbers have the exact same
3. 38, – 10. 1,772 1,773 1,779 1,777 digits (in different orders), except these:
4. 64, x 11. 3,333 3,395 3,325 3,345 625 (Set A); 3,441 (Set B); 4,596 (Set C);
5. 256, x 12. 116 118 113 114 28,076 (Set D)
6. 166, + Your Turn 53 Group 2: All numbers are in reverse order,
7. 378, – PAGE 24: Reaching the Top except these: 89 (Set A); 954 (Set B); 2,310
8. 480, ÷ 1. 586 ÷ 8 does not equal 86 (Set C); 56,432 (Set D)
9. 29, ÷ 2. 1,644 ÷ 68 does not equal 34 Group 3: The third digit is twice the first
digit, except these: 170 (Set A); 781 (Set
PAGE 19: Meanie Genie 3. 259 ÷ 3 does not equal 65
4. 64 – 48 does not equal 15 B); 172 (Set C); 201 (Set D)
Jake and Daniela should be circled yes
because all their answers were correct! José climbed the highest. PAGE 29: Pyramid Challenge
Cecilia is no, because she got the third PAGE 25: Harvest Riddle 1. increases by 5 (missing numbers: 34,
equation wrong. 30 – 10 ÷ 2 = 25 (not 10). 1. 64,8 (addition 72, subtraction 56, 54, 79)
2. increases by 7, then 2, then repeats
PAGE 20: Get the Scoop! multiplication 512, division 8)
2. 18,3 (addition 21, subtraction 15, (missing numbers: 0, 34, 45, 70)
1. Zaura—7 scoops 3. decreases by 3 (missing numbers: 85,
2. Ellis—18 scoops multiplication 54, division 6)
3. 35,7 (addition 42, subtraction 28, 70, 61, 55, 49)
3. Clara—18 scoops 4. decreases by 1, increases by 6, then
4. Darby—15 scoops multiplication 245, division 5)
4. 6,0 (addition 6, subtraction 6, repeats (missing numbers: 36, 46, 56,
5. Chang—7 scoops 61, 65)
6. Thelma—26 scoops multiplication 0, division 0)
Your Turn Pattern is ÷ 4, x 8, ÷ 4, x 8, etc.
7. Deon—14 scoops 60 9 258 130 1 A harvestman,
12 56 15 512 182
(missing numbers: 96, 48, 768, 384)
8. Gabriela—44 scoops otherwise
19 54 79 6 14
Gabriela is the new champion! 25 5 28 72 76
known as a PAGE 30: Think Ahead
168 8 44 245 954 daddy longlegs, A B
PAGE 21: The Number Shuffle 2. 88 89
201 42 0 21 26 is an arachnid
2. 390 + 876 = 1,266 55 87 4 34 51
that has 8 legs. 3. 222 234
3. 486 + 1,266 = 1,752 4. 444 456
4. 1,752 – 654 = 1,098 PAGE 26: Three’s a Charm 5. 77 789
5. 1,098 x 3 = 3,294 How many 6. 1,111 1,234
6. 6,402 – 3,294 = 3,108 Evenly apart from 7. 3,333 2,345
7. 59 + 150 = 209 spaced trio one another?
8. 6,666 6,789
8. 150 – 79 = 71 2. 29, 36, 43 7
9. 8,888 8,910
9. 639 + 71 = 710 3. 18, 34, 50 16
10. 11,111 12,345
10. 710 – 560 = 150 4. 11, 46, 81 35
11. 150 ÷ 30 = 5 5. 63, 142, 221 79 PAGE 31: Hit the Road
12. 85 – 5 = 80 6. 37, 58, 79 21 2. 1 2 7 = 27 ÷ 9 = 3
7. 13, 64, 115 51 3. 2 6 3 = 63 ÷ 9 = 7
PAGE 22: A-Maze-ing! 8. 2,218; 2,323; 2,428 105 4. 1, 3 9 5 = 135 ÷ 9 = 15
START PAGE 27: Find the Bookend 5. 1, 8 8 0 = 180 ÷ 9 = 20
6. 3, 2 0 6 = 306 ÷ 9 = 34
18 + 0 54 ÷ 3 32 ÷ 36 + 48 ÷ 98 ÷ Which Beginning Description
42 ÷ 9x2 20 + 12 x 54 + 9– number or end? of pattern 7. 5 , 3 8 5 = 585 ÷ 9 = 65
19÷ 4 + 14 19 + 15 – 4x 22 ÷ belongs? 8. 2 0 , 1 5 1 = 2,151 ÷ 9 = 239
25 + 108 ÷ 6 21 – 3 38 ÷ 16 – 96 ÷ 2. 0 beginning increases by 5 9. 2 8 , 5 3 1 = 2,853 ÷ 9 = 317
15 – 0x 18 – 0 36 ÷ 2 36 – 18 100 + 3. 3 beginning increases by 5 10. 9 4 , 1 2 2 = 4,122 ÷ 9 = 458
3– 26 ÷ 78 ÷ 8x 2x9 14 x 4. 36 end increases by 2, Your Turn All the digits in a number evenly
7x 28 + 24 + 56 ÷ 199 – 181 17 – then 6, then 2, divisible by 9 (or a multiple of 9), add up to
64 ÷ 92 ÷ 12 – 44 ÷ 18 x 1 702 ÷ 39 then 6, and so on 9 (or a multiple of 9. E.g., 2,151 ÷ 9 = 239
10 x 36 x 30 + 11 x 146 ÷ 3x6 5. 27 end decreases by 4 and 2 + 1 + 5 + 1 = 9
FINISH 6. 123 beginning decreases by 7
7. 7 end +2, –1
PAGE 32: Sum Good Facts
8. 105 end decreases by 1, 1. 4 + 8 = 12
PAGE 23: Lights, Camera,
increases by 8 2. 12 + 36 = 48
Action!
9. 33 beginning number added 3. 27 + 32 = 59
1. 100 101 102 106 4. 63 + 27 = 90
increases by one
2. 63 36 26 16 5. 45 + 72 = 117, in 1931
each time
3. 129 188 208 192 6. 12 + 48 + 90 = 150
10. 50 end numbers
4. 5 6 18 4
decrease by half
5. 80 82 83 85
6. 199 145 198 186
7. 80 82 83 85

62 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources
Answers
PAGE 33: STRENGTH in Numbers PAGE 37: Defying Physics PAGE 42: Fraction Action
1
1=A 6=F 11=K 16=P 21=U 26=Z 2. 6.5 4. 7.15 The answer is 3.
2=B 7=G 12=L1 17=Q 22=V .7 1.4 3.0 5.2 .7 .32
.17 .6 .89 .22 .12 4.3 .34 .3 .75 .44 Start 24 72 108 144 216 648
3=C 8=H 3=M 18=R 23=W
4=D 9=I 14=N 19=S 24=X 3. 11.99
1 822
5=E 10=J 15=O 20=T 25=Y
8 is out
6.1 2.0 .41
.18 1.6 .2 1.35 .1 1
2. 14 + 9 + 14 + 5 > 19 + 5+ 22 + 5 + 14 4 is out 852
(42 > 65?) false 5. 6.55
.98 .38 .34 1,512 1,500 1,392 1,296 1,200 1,050 924
3. 20 + 23 + 15 > 15 + 14 + 5 (58 > 34?)
.115 .27 1.30 .20 .30
true .23 .432 .56 .01 1.1 1.23 .4 1,776
4. 20 + 23 + 5 + 12 + 22 + 5 > 5 + 9 + 7 1
6. 6 is out
+ 8 + 20 (87 > 49?) true 16.5 1,806
.45 .675 1.4
5. 5 + 9 + 7 + 8 + 20 + 25 > 19 + 9 + 24
2.13 .33 .18 .02 4.1 1,920 2,028 2,061 2,343 2,586 3,435 4,356
+ 20 + 25 (74 > 97?) false .18 .09 1.3 .77 .945 3.2 .88
6. 6 + 9 + 6 + 20 + 25 > 20 + 8 + 9 + 18 Finish
+ 20 + 5 + 5 + 14 (66 > 99?) false
7. 20 + 8 + 9 + 18 + 20 + 25 + 15 + 14 + PAGE 38: Puzzle Time PAGE 43: Out of This World
5 > 20 + 23 + 5 + 14 + 20 + 25 + 15 + 1 2 3 4
. 3 6 3 5 . 1 3 1. LCD = 45, 14, 42, 36, 20; PLUTO
14 + 5 (134 >141?) false
6 3 0 2. LCD = 48, 56, 45, 36, 42, 48, 56;
8. 19 + 5 + 22 + 5 + 14 + 20 + 25 + 6 + 5
. . 8 . 6 NEPTUNE
15 + 21 + 18 > 6 + 15 + 18 + 20 + 25 + 6
7 6 9 6 3. LCD = 10, 12, 36, 42, 60, 48; SATURN
19 + 5 + 22 + 5 + 14 (170 > 149?) true
4 . 5 PAGE 44: Improper Ages
PAGE 34: Prime Time for 7
6 3 . 9 1
Prime Numbers 10 11 Algie—5 2 Elbie—12
2 . 5 6 4 1
8 P.M.: Everybody Leaves Richard 3; Rusie—3 9 Matia—2 2
.
Just Tell Me 43; Shipwreck 73; 12 3 6
1 7 6 8 . 6 8 Oma—3 5 Hecta—4 11
Doherty, Utah Baker 7
1 1
9 P.M.: WWF—World Whispering Newtie—3 2 Octo—4 2
Federation 89; Little Horse on the Prairie 29;
PAGE 39: Time for a Laugh 1 1
2. L 2.38 6. O 5.67 10. M 53.7 Lola—7 2 Velo—6 2
America’s Most Washed 47
10 P.M.: RSVP Yellow 97; Danger 41; 3. E 5.52 7. N 4.65 11. H 0.08 The oldest citizen is Elbie who is 12.
4. V 0.21 8. S 4.4 12. E 20.53 1
Fries to Order 2 The youngest is Matia who is 2 2.
5. W 4.4 9. T 0.25 15
Your Turn 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, In two years Algie will be 2
Riddle Answer: 1
29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, on Numerdenominaria and 7 2 on Earth.
T W E L
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ V E M O N T
_____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ H S
73, 79, 83, 89, 97 1 5 3 2 4 12 10 6 7 9 11 8 PAGE 45: Everything Must Go!
PAGE 35: Little Number, Evenly divisible by Price after sale
BIG Impact PAGE 40: Get Cracking! 2. 22, 29 $350
Number of pieces =
2. 63 7. 37 1
3. 14 $525
3. 82 8. 114 2. 5 weight 4. 12, 15, 20 $520
4. 93 9. 253 1 5. 12, 15, 20 $560
3. 4 of square footage
5. 26 10. 473 1
6. 27 $408
6. 45 4. 3 age 7. 20 $310
3 8. 13 $780
PAGE 36: Tic-Tac-Decimal 5. 4 size of monitor in inches
3 Dry ‘N White 1400
2. 2.0 3.1 1.7 5. 20.9 11.7 30.6 6. 5 of height
7 PAGE 46: Get With the Team
7. 8 of size
6.2 3.5 6.8 3.5 55.9 8.2 Total Percentage Did it
2 votes that voted yes pass?
8. 3 number of panes overall
5.4 2.1 1.2 5.0 5.4 17.1 2. 17 45%. No
PAGE 41: Balloon Journey 3. 29 76% Yes
3. 6.3 9.3 18.9 6. 10.2 9.7 .33 2.
yellow traveled 580 + 435 = 1,015 miles 4. 31 82% Yes
3.
purple traveled 234 + 156 = 390 miles
13.9 7.1 12.3 3.4 .29 .5
4.
green traveled 702 + 546 = 1,248 miles
5.6 2.5 3.5 .46 2.1 1.08 5.
orange traveled 693 + 594 = 1,287 miles
6.
blue traveled 714 + 119 = 833 miles
4. 12.3 43.4 16.7 7.
white traveled the farthest: 820 +
656 = 1,476 miles
13.4 15.1 14.9 8. black traveled 368 + 322 = 690 miles
41.5 8.6 36.8 9. pink traveled 125 + 50 = 175 miles
10. silver traveled 600 + 100 = 700 miles

Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources 63
 Answers
PAGE 47: Dino Bone Zone PAGE 51: Guess Your Best 2. d a d c
Percentage of skeleton that 2. 56?8 5. 79?62 d c b d a. sixteen
is complete c c b d b. two
3. 96?14 6. 47?57
2. 249/480 bones = 52% complete 6 c c a b c. three
4. 3?162
3. 10/18 bones = 55% complete 5 d. six
4. 185/445 bones = 42% complete 7 PAGE 52: Mark and Darcy’s e. five
5. 56/455 bones = 12% complete 8 Game f. None
6. 356/377 bones = 94% complete 1 1. 15, 18
7. 297/351 = 85% complete 3 2. 15, 17, 18 or 20, 15, 15
PAGE 56: In Search of Numbers
8. 176/271 = 65% complete 4 3. 25 twice; or 20, 30; or 15, 35 1. 2 3. 74 5. 456
4. no, the highest he could get in 3 2. 13 4. 86 6. 108
PAGE 48: Milk Money
tosses with no bull’s eye is 120 PAGE 57: Alien Phenomenon
2. Jacob—14 days ( $10.95 ÷ .80 )
5. yes, because no two numbers on this Total Inside or
3. Louis—50 days ( $17.50 ÷ .35)
board could add up to 95 number outside the
4. Molly—50 days ( $20.00 ÷ .40) of hands asteroid belt
6. 17, 27, 37 or 33, 33, 15
5. Ralph—106 days ($26.47 ÷ .25) 2. Sunev 3 inside
6. Rosita—120 days ($59.99 ÷ .50) PAGE 53: On the Wall 3. Rucremy 4 inside
7. Tyrone—21 days ($15.75 ÷.75) 1. five years from 2000–2005 4. Smar 7 outside
8. Karen—217 days ($65.00 ÷ .30) 2. 2001: Sandra; 2002: Sandra; 2004: 5. Retipuj 5 outside
PAGE 49: Money Matters Noah 6. Rutans 1 inside
3. 2000: Sandra; 2003: Alison; 2005: 7. Sunaru 2 inside
2. chocolate ($10.80) more than gum
Nick 8. Enutpen 6 outside
($10.29)
4. Sandra 9. Otulp 7 inside
3. apples ($7.50) more than bananas
5. ten inches
($7.00) PAGE 58: One-Hit Wonder
6. Nick
4. pasta ($13.08) more than soup ($8.90) 1. 1992 6. 1988
7. eight inches
5. lettuce ($26.00) more than cucumbers 2. 1983 7. 1995
8. Sandra grew seven inches from 2000
($20.70) 3. none 8. none
to 2001.
6. batteries ($59.85) more than bulbs 4. 1984, 1986 9. 1990
9. Nick and Alison. Nick didn’t grow from
($48.07) 5. none
2000 to 2001 or from 2004 to 2005.
7. running shoes ($126.00) is more than Answer: 1989
Alison didn’t grow from 2002 to 2003.
shirts ($110.25)
10. Sandra because she grew the most, 16 PAGE 59: Break the Code!
8. party dresses ($195.00) is more than
inches, in five years.
ties ($189.00) The code (Rebmun number = Earth
PAGE 54: Speed Readers number):
PAGE 50: Find Your Way Out
1. 16 chapters over 7 days 0=5 2=3 4=1 6=2 8=7
One kilometer is 1,000 meters, which is a
2. Scott, Thursday 1=6 3=9 5=8 7=0 9=4
little less than a mile (.62 of a mile, to be
3. Grant, Tuesday
exact.) The total number of meters walked 2. 9 + 0 =9
4. Barry, 9, Thursday
must be divided by 50, because the 3. 4 + 4 =8
5. Monday, Grant
explorers will drop one item every 50 4. 1 + 6 =7
6. Grant, Sunday
meters. 5. 0 + 0 =0
7. Lois, 10
1. Jesse—yes; 3 km = 3,000 meters 6. 4 + 3 =7
8. Barry, Saturday
3,000 ÷ 50 = 60 items needed 7. 5 + 2 =7
9. Tuesday, 7
2. Warner—no; 2 km = 2,000 meters 8. 8 + 1 =9
10. Monday, 22
2,000 ÷ 50 = 40 items needed 9. 2 + 0 =2
3. Mara—yes; 2.5 km = 2,500 meters PAGE 55: Think Inside the Box 10. 8 + 8 = 16
2,500 ÷ 50 = 50 items needed Key: full = a, three-fourths = b, half = c,
4. Brianne—yes; 1,000 meters one-fourth = d, not begun = e PAGE 60: Oops, Wrong
1,000 ÷ 50 = 20 items needed 1. e b Number
5. Sylvia—no; 4 km = 4,000 meters b. one
b a 1. 852-4419
4,000 ÷ 50 = 80 items needed c. two
2. 541-1632
6. Tomas—no; 7 km = 7,000 meters d. none (to be half made,
3. 352-3911
7,000 ÷ 50 = 140 items needed exactly two of the four
4. 288-2648
7. Alex—yes; 1.25 km = 1,250 meters lines of the box must be
5. 666-6667
1,250 ÷ 50 = 25 items needed there)
6. 650-7997
8. Jud—no; 2.75 = 2,750 meters e. none
7. 235-5799
2,750 ÷ 50 = 55 items needed f. one
8. 415-4444
9. Nathan—no; 1.5 km = 1,500 ÷ 50 =
9. 723-1651
30 items needed
10. 453-4231
10. Livia—no; 3.5 km = 3,500 ÷ 50 = 70
items needed

64 Activities for Fast Finishers: Math © Marc Tyler Nobleman, Scholastic Teaching Resources