Math UNOversal: The ultimate math card game

Playing a modified version of UNO to teach math skills. Photos provided by author.

By Nelli Kim Sia Acejo, BC-certified teacher, currently working as a public school teacher

in San Jose, California

Playing UNO has always been one of my favourite pastimes with family and friends, so I wanted to bring that same excitement and engagement into my classroom. To make practising equations more interactive, I designed a math activity inspired by the classic UNO card game. (1) Instead of numbers and action cards, each card contains either an equation or its corresponding solution. Students work through the game by matching equations with their correct answers, reinforcing their problem-solving skills in a fun and collaborative way.

To support their learning, students are given separate sheets of paper where they can show their work as they solve for the correct answers. The game is structured into three levels: one-step, two-step, and multi-step equations, allowing students to progress at their own pace while building confidence in their algebraic reasoning. By blending a familiar game with essential math concepts, this activity not only makes learning equations enjoyable but also encourages critical thinking, teamwork, and engagement in the classroom.

Bringing UNO to the math classroom: How students play and learn

I created the game cards by printing equations and solutions on UNO card templates. Once the students have their UNO-style equation cards, it’s time to put their problem-solving skills to the test. The game is structured to be both engaging and academically enriching, ensuring that students actively solve equations while playing. Here’s how the activity unfolds in the classroom:

Game set-up

Distribute cards: Each student receives a set of UNO-style equation cards, shuffled and divided evenly among the players. Each card contains either an algebraic equation or its corresponding solution.

Prepare workspaces: Every student has a separate sheet of paper to show their work as they solve equations throughout the game. This ensures they are actively working through each problem instead of guessing.

Establish levels: The game is divided into three levels: one-step, two-step, and multi-step equations. Students begin with the easiest level and progress as they gain confidence.

How to play

Start the game: The first player draws a card from their set and reads the equation aloud to the group.

Solving and matching:

• The player writes the equation on their paper and solves it.

• If they find the correct answer on one of their own cards, they place both the equation and solution card in the discard pile. The goal is to get rid of all their cards.

• If they do not have the answer, they must hold onto the equation and wait for another opportunity.

Turn rotation: Play moves clockwise, with the next student drawing and solving an equation. Players must keep solving and matching until all their cards are played.

Winning the game: The first student to correctly solve and match all their equation cards wins the round. If time allows, the game resets, and students can try the next level of difficulty.

Learning in action

Throughout the game, students remain actively engaged in solving problems rather than simply memorizing answers. The need to show their work on paper ensures that they practise step-by-step problem-solving, reinforcing their understanding of algebraic concepts. Additionally, the competitive yet supportive environment encourages peer collaboration, as students can discuss strategies and help each other refine their math skills.

By blending a classic game with structured problem-solving, this activity transforms equation-solving into an exciting and meaningful learning experience.

Integrating game-based learning into mathematics has proven to be a powerful tool for engaging students in problem-solving activities. To be successful, gamification must do the following:

• attract students’ attention

• build motivation and competence

• foster confidence

• be interactive to develop reasoning skills and problem-solving abilities. (2)

The competitive and strategic elements of the game encouraged students to think critically about their solutions, reinforcing algebraic concepts in a way that traditional worksheets often fail to do. Additionally, the tiered levels—one-step, two-step, and multi-step equations—allowed students to progress at their own pace, fostering a sense of accomplishment.

One of the most valuable aspects of this activity was how it encouraged collaboration and discussion. Students were motivated to check each other’s work, explain their reasoning, and develop confidence in their problem-solving abilities. The excitement of playing a game, combined with the necessity of solving equations correctly, created an environment where learning was both fun and meaningful. Students feel satisfied when they successfully complete their assignments,(3) and this satisfaction was evident as they celebrated their progress throughout the game.

Expanding the UNO-inspired math game

Building on the success of this UNO-inspired game for solving equations, I plan to expand its application to inequalities, including both simple and compound inequalities. In this version, students will match inequalities with their corresponding solution sets, reinforcing their understanding of inequality notation and graphing solutions while maintaining the same engaging gameplay format. This adaptation will allow students to analyze and compare different solution sets collaboratively.

Additionally, this game-based approach could be used in elementary and middle school math classrooms. For middle school, the game can be adapted for topics such as multiples of a number, greatest common factor (GCF), and fractions. Instead of solving equations, students would match equivalent fractions, common multiples, or GCF values to continue gameplay. At the elementary level, the game could focus on the four basic operations—addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—where students match problems with their correct answers.

By sharing this activity with educators across different grade levels, I aim to provide an engaging and collaborative approach to mathematics that fosters problem-solving skills and active learning.

Leveraging gamified strategies allows educators to enhance student motivation, improve problem-solving skills, and create a classroom atmosphere that fosters both enjoyment and academic growth. This activity serves as a reminder that innovative teaching methods can make even the most challenging math concepts accessible and enjoyable for all learners.

1 UNO Rules, (n.d.), “How to Play UNO: Official Game Rules,”: www.unorules.com

2 S. Atin, R.A. Syakuran, & I. Afrianto, “Implementation of Gamification in Mathematics m-Learning Application to Creating Student Engagement,” Universitas Komputer Indonesia: repository.unikom.ac.id/70697/1/FULL%20ARTIKEL.pdf

3 ibid.