Number Ladders

Number ladders are a quick and fun way to boost mental maths. Students start with a number and work up the ladder, performing operations at each step, building number sense and problem-solving in just a few minutes.

How It Works

Students start with a number at the bottom of a ladder and perform operations at each rung until they reach the top. It can include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or a combination, and can be adapted for any year level or ability.

For Example:

Give students a ladder with a starting number of 10 at the bottom. 
The rungs could be +5, −3, ×2, and ÷4. Students start at 10, add 5 to get 15, subtract 3 to get 12, multiply by 2 to get 24, and finally divide by 4 to finish at 6.

Why It's So Good

• Easy to set up on the board or on paper, no extra resources needed

• Students enjoy working through the ladder and checking their answers

• Can be adapted for any year level, ability, or operation

• Strengthens mental maths, number sense, and problem-solving

Number ladders make maths feel achievable and fun, giving every student a chance to succeed while boosting confidence with numbers. Try this in your class and share how it goes!