The Mystery Number

How do you work out the Mystery Number?
Arrange the hundreds, tens and ones to solve the puzzle.

This is a tactile game to recognise the order of digits in a series of numbers.
Given enough clues, the player will find the 3-digit hidden number.

Goals

To understand the numerical values of each column i.e. left column is for hundreds, middle column is for tens etc.

The adult prepares

Prepare 2 number-baseplates, one for each player.
On a third baseplate, create 3 columns with sausages of playdough.
Place letters H, T, O at the top of the columns to indicate hundreds, tens and ones. Give that third baseplate to player 2.

The children play

Tell player 1 to decide on their Mystery Number: they think of a 3-digit number and write it secretly on their number-baseplate.
Give player 2 a clue: for example: “the tens digit is a 3”.

Tell player 2 to place the number (3) in the correct column on the baseplate.

They ask for more clues until they know the secret number.

You have to think, in your head
about a number with three digits.
There will be tens, hundreds, and ones.
And you have to write it down without telling anybody.
Very good.
So Frédéric has written something secret.
So you’re going to give some hints,
can you tell us, for example, how many hundreds there are?
Six.
-Six.
Did you hear that?
Can you, in your chart,
write six hundred?
Six hundred.
So then can you tell us
how many tens there are?
Five tens.
-Ah, five tens.
And how many units, please, Frédéric?
Seven units.
Seven units.
So now,
can you read me
the number that is written,
the whole number, the big number?
Six hundred and…
fifty-seven.
So it’s the same number,
so he’s managed to find the number. Well done!