SolveMe Mobiles is a free website designed to support and engage students in algebraic reasoning through puzzles. The colorful puzzles you’ll find there help HSE and pre-HSE students (as well as puzzle-lovers of all ages) establish and strengthen the logic of solving equations for unknown values.

Consider these two activities:

• Solve the following system of equations:
  • 2d + h = 4d + 3t
  • 2d + h + 4d + 3t = 36
    
  • 3d = d + 3t
  • t = 2

• Solve this mobile puzzle

Both require the same steps and reasoning and both have the same answer. But in the puzzle format, you have to rely and build up your own logic rather than applying memorized rules whose logic may not be so clear.

Teaching & Learning Features

• There are three levels of play – Explorer, Puzzler, Master – ranging from introductory to more challenging.
• After you enter your answer(s) on the screen, you are told whether the mobile is balanced or not.
• In addition to all the puzzles made for the site, you can also work on puzzles that other users have created. You  can even build and share your own mobiles.
• You can write “hand written” notes on the screen, to keep track of your discoveries as you go.

Mathematical Features

• These puzzles are designed to build perseverance – they are challenging in all the right ways.
• Many students come with misconceptions about the equal sign, thinking that it means the “answer”. These puzzles do a great job of connecting equations and the equal sign to the concept of balance. (See Danielle’s Math Memo on the Sums and Difference Problem and Unit 7: Equality of the CUNY HSE Math Curriculum Framework for more information on how to address this issue in the adult numeracy and HSE classroom)
• You can “rewrite” the mobiles into actual equations by dragging elements of the mobile to the side of the screen.

User Features

• Anyone can go to the site, so students can work through the puzzles at home, with their kids, in class, in a group, etc.
• A log-in is not required, but if you create a free log-in , you can save your progress and your favorite puzzles.
• Tutorial tips appear on the screen to teach you about some of the features of the site.