Interactive Maths Tools
Free virtual manipulatives and visual tools to explore key ideas in maths, each with its own investigation questions.
How the tools work
Each tool lets you move objects, change settings and see the maths respond straight away.
Underneath every tool are around 60 investigation questions to work through, each with teacher notes.
They are free, need no login, and work full screen on the board or on a tablet or phone.
Three ways to get the most from them
The tool shows what happens. These routines get everyone thinking about why.
- 1
Predict first
Before each change, ask what will happen. Then make the change and see who was right.
- 2
Notice and wonder
Ask “What do you notice? What do you wonder?” A surprise is a great moment to ask why.
- 3
Use the questions
Work through the investigation questions under each tool, so there is always something new to explore.
No tools match
Try fewer words, or a different word for the same thing.
Number
- Number Grid ExplorerKS1KS2KS3
Shade multiples, primes, squares or your own rule on any grid, run the Sieve of Eratosthenes, and make jumps to add and subtract. Grids can count down or use decimals.
Also for: Factors, multiples and primes Place value Mental arithmetic Indices, roots and surds Sequences
- ManipulativesKS1KS2KS3
Ten-frames, Dienes, Numicon, place value counters, Cuisenaire rods, fraction strips, algebra tiles, coins and more, with mats and totals.
Also for: Mental arithmetic Written methods Counting and number sense British money Factors, multiples and primes Probability Fractions Properties of 2D shapes Introduction to algebra
- Place Value CountersKS1KS2
Build, compare, add and subtract with counters in place value columns, exchanging and breaking down as you go. Multiply and divide by 10 and 100 too.
Also for: Mental arithmetic Written methods Decimals
- Place Value ColumnsKS1KS2KS3GCSE
Watch digits move as you multiply and divide by powers of 10. Compare two numbers, round to decimal places or significant figures, and reach a target in the fewest moves.
Also for: Written methods Decimals Rounding and estimation Fraction, decimal, percentage equivalence Indices, roots and surds
- Addition and Subtraction Number LineKS1KS2KS3
Add and subtract as jumps on a number line: one jump, ones, tens then ones, or bridging 10. Works with negatives and decimals, with a missing-number mode.
Also for: Negative numbers Counting and number sense Decimals
- Multiplication Number LineKS1KS2KS3
Face a direction, then walk forwards or backwards to see why negative × negative is positive. Times tables, decimals and division as missing numbers.
Also for: Factors, multiples and primes Negative numbers Decimals
- Multiplication GridKS1KS2KS3
Shade times tables, squares and your own rules, split arrays to see the grid method, and practise facts with the products hidden.
Also for: Factors, multiples and primes Indices, roots and surds Written methods
- Number SmashKS2KS3
Smash two numbers together to add, subtract, multiply or divide, with exact fractions and the calculation written out. Challenge mode sets targets to make.
Also for: Fractions Negative numbers Indices, roots and surds Decimals Fraction, decimal, percentage equivalence
Split numbers into factor pairs and primes, grow factor trees, and find the HCF and LCM with a Venn diagram of prime factors.
Also for: Indices, roots and surds
Use yellow and red counters to add, subtract and multiply directed numbers. Zero pairs cancel as you work it out, step by step.
- Fraction TilesKS2KS3
Lay fraction tiles end to end to compare, rename, add and subtract them, with every length exact. Show them as fractions, decimals or percentages, or on a number line.
Select fractions to see equivalences, toggle decimals and percentages, compare and add fractions, and reorder rows.
- Fraction BarsKS2KS3
Add, subtract and compare fractions with bar models drawn to one scale. Cut the bars to a common denominator, including mixed numbers, and check your own answer.
Algebra
- Algebra TilesKS3GCSE
Simplify, expand, factorise and solve with algebra tiles. Zero pairs, the multiplication frame and both-sides moves link every tile to the written algebra.
Also for: Introduction to algebra Linear equations Quadratic equations
Geometry
- GeoboardKS1KS2KS3GCSE
Stretch bands on square, isometric, circle and coordinate boards to measure lengths, areas, angles and gradients. Reflect, rotate and check symmetry.
Also for: Angles Properties of 2D shapes Coordinates Similarity and congruence Pythagoras' theorem Transformations Straight-line graphs Properties of 3D shapes
- Circle TheoremsGCSE
Drag points around the circle to investigate all eight GCSE circle theorems, with exact angles and two boards side by side.
Statistics & Probability
- Probability ToolsKS3GCSE
Run experiments with coins, dice, spinners and bags, with or without replacement. Track relative frequency, build tree diagrams and solve mystery set-ups.
Also for: Collecting and organising data
