Equation

Tap a gap, then tap a symbol.

Correct! 🎉

Objective of Equation

In the game of Equation, your objective is to insert the correct mathematical symbols into the gaps between four numbers to create a valid equation. Can you figure out the right combination?

Equation's Gameboard

On the screen above you'll see four numbers separated by three blank gaps, a row of symbol buttons, and a "Check" button. Tap a gap to select it, then tap a symbol to fill it in. The "Check" button becomes active only once all 3 gaps are filled in.

How to Play Equation

The five symbols available to you are: +, −, ×, ÷, and =. Your job is to place three of them into the gaps to create a mathematically correct equation.

The equals sign (=) must appear in exactly one of the three gaps — it splits the equation into a left side and a right side, and both sides must be equal. The other four symbols can be used more than once.

The first gap is selected by default, so you can go straight to tapping a symbol if you like. To select a different gap first, just tap it. If you change your mind about a symbol, tap the filled gap to clear it and try something else.

Once all three gaps are filled, tap "Check" to see if your equation is correct. If it isn't, the symbols stay in place so you can adjust them and try again.

One important rule to keep in mind: multiplication and division are always calculated before addition and subtraction, regardless of where they appear in the equation. So 3 + 2 × 4 equals 11, not 20.

Strategic Tips for Equation

  • Place the equals sign first: Deciding where the equals sign goes is the key to unlocking the rest of the puzzle. Try each of the three positions and see which one makes the math work out.
  • Watch out for order of operations: If your equation includes a × or ÷, remember to calculate that part first before checking whether both sides balance.
  • Work backwards from large numbers: If one of the four numbers is much larger than the others, it's likely on its own side of the equals sign — or being produced by a multiplication.

Levels of Difficulty

You can choose between two levels of difficulty: "Easier" uses smaller numbers and simpler operations, while "Harder" uses larger numbers and more frequently requires multiplication or division.

Fun Fact

Every Equation puzzle on Spiffytap has exactly one correct solution!