Motion Math Zoom Pro uses a unique feature of the iPad to demonstrate understanding of number concepts from 1-10 and up through 10,000, decimals and negative numbers. The app is based on a simple number line but uses the pinch and zoom capabilities of the iPad to demonstrate number concepts in a visual way. The app starts with the simple placement of numbers on the number line with a matching animal to coordinate with the size. For example, frogs are ordinal numbers,bees represent decimals and elephants larger numbers. Use the pinch and zoom feature to expand the number line up to large numbers and back down again to decimals. The app presents a number in a bubble and you must use the pinching and zooming to place the number on the number line in the correct area. Pop! The bubble turns into a number on the number line. Add an extra challenge by adding the needle that grows and threatens to pop the bubbles before you can find the correct location on the number line. This app would appeal to students age 7 and up and would be ideal to revisit when learning about fractions, decimals, negative numbers or large number concepts. Motion Math Zoom Pro is designed for iPhone and iPad and is available for purchase for $5.99.

Mathematician and artist Daren Carsten created Math Doodles because it wasn’t until later in life that he discovered that math could be fun. Math Doodles has four different puzzle areas. With several different ways to play each puzzle, there are seemingly endless ways to play with math concepts in Math Doodles! Choose a puzzle area to get started, then choose the mathematical picture content for the puzzle. There you will find numbers 1-10 on a die, coins, hand symbols, ten frames, tally marks, dollars, fraction pieces, Spanish words, Braille, Hebrew, Roman Numerals, and Hindi. In addition, there are options for varying time amounts for race mode and an easy and hard level. This app could easily entertain and challenge 6 year olds up to adults. Available for the iPad, this app could be exciting to pass back and forth between adult and child and challenge each other to a puzzle. When you solve part of the puzzle, a chiming bell rings which delighted our child testers. The creator includes many of his beautiful math doodles in the app, but if you have a child who is easily distracted, they may pose a problem. Because Math Doodles is ingeniously crafted and appeals to a such large audience, it’s definitely worth the price of $2.99. There is not any direct math instruction in the app, just loads of puzzles with math concepts!

Operation Math turns practicing math into secret spy work. This app is best for students ages 5-12 and works on the concepts of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The best part is how enticing and engaging Operation Math makes completing the problems. When it opens, the user is presented with the problem: “Dr. Odd has wiped out all the even numbers, and you must complete missions in order to stop him.” Missions include solving math facts, complete with a spy watch and music. Collect clues along the way to stop Dr. Odd and even earn new spy gear. Parents, please note that missions are timed, and, if you do not complete enough facts during the mission, there is a large “Missions Failed” message. Some of our child testers were discouraged by this message; other children were up for the challenge. In addition, the timing feature may make your child feel too pressured to complete the facts. Check out the “training area” for untimed missions. There are 105 missions. Now, that’s a lot of math fact practice for $1.99! Parents may customize the operations as needed. Try out Operation Math, and make the world a safer place for Math!