Dragon Box – A Game that Teaches Algebra

Yesterday I discovered a great educational app and I just had to share it with you.

It’s called Dragon Box and believe it or not it teaches anybody the basics of Algebra.  My eight year old (opps, I mean nine) was easily able to follow the rules of the game and solve the problems.

The concept is easy.  You have to isolate the sparkling box (which later in each level transforms into a sparkling x).

One of the simplest rules is to match opposite images so they can disappear.

You can also add images (or cards) to your screen.  They are displayed at the bottom.

If you need the opposite (shadow) of the image, you just tap the card and it turns over, ready to be dragged where you need it.  Here you’ll learn that if you add a card to one side, you must add the same card to the other side too.

As you gain skills the game cleverly slips in more usual Algebra notion, like the equal sign, operation signs and of course x.

If the same image is above another (as in division ie 4/4), you can match them and the remaining card turns into a 1.

If a 1 card is next to another image (as in multiplying by 1), when you drag the match together the 1 disappears and only the other image remains (just like in multiplication ie 4×1=4).

Before long you are moved seemingly in ‘real’ algebra.  But using the exact same rules you don’t even feel like you are doing Math.  You just keep playing.  It’s brilliant!!

My children can solve these sorts of problems having had absolutely no experience with Algebra in their Math books.

Well, no need to fret over that future topic now.

I wonder what other stresses this app developer can relieve for me?!

Trigonometry and Calculus??!!  Chemical equations perhaps??!!

My only complaint is that there are not nearly enough problems.

Five levels of 20 problems each was just not enough for me (oh sorry, I meant the children).  🙂

Yes I did purchase the Dragon Box Plus version of the game and got the bonus extra hundred games.

But what do I do now that I’ve solved all 200 problems?!!

Let the children use it so they’ll stop begging??  Or give in to hubby and let him have a turn too??

Decisions, decisions.

Lucky buying Dragon Box was a no-brainer

…although, having bought it, my brain does feel well exercised yet hardly strained at all.

Dragon Box makes Algebra really really easy.

Where was this game when I was at school?!!!

 

PS.  No, I didn’t receive this game for reviewing purposes.  I heard about it and went and purchased it.  The post was just because I had to share a fabulous find with my readers.   I hope you enjoy it.