Math Riddles With Answers
These riddles hide a calculation inside a short story. Slow down, pull out the numbers and the question, and decide which operation connects them. Many have a trick, such as a unit change or a number that is not what it first seems.
Tip: Write the numbers down. Seeing them on paper often exposes the trick.
350 riddles in this collection, page 3 of 9. Tap a riddle for the answer, or open it for the full explanation.
Half of the 20 pencils on the table are taken away. How many pencils are left on the table?
There are 30 fireworks in a box and 6 are taken out. How many fireworks are left?
Max has 4 rainbows. Ana has twice as many. How many rainbows do they have together?
Omar counts clovers in a pattern: 3, 5, 7, 9. How many clovers come next?
Eli puts 3 green hats in each of 5 boxes. How many green hats is that altogether?
Leo gets 9 chicks on Monday and 7 chicks on Tuesday, then gives away 2. How many chicks are left?
Half of the 16 gold coins on the table are taken away. How many gold coins are left on the table?
Half of the 24 scarecrows on the table are taken away. How many scarecrows are left on the table?
Ida has 14 rabbits and Omar has 5. How many more rabbits does Ida have?
Max makes 5 rows of 2 squirrels and adds 1 more at the end. How many squirrels are there in all?
There are 18 eggs in a box and 7 are taken out. How many eggs are left?
8 pumpkins are shared equally among 4 friends. How many pumpkins does each friend get?
Max has 12 bunnies. Ana has twice as many. How many bunnies do they have together?
Eli has 5 apples and finds 8 more. How many apples does Eli have now?
Ben counts seeds in a pattern: 4, 8, 12, 16. How many seeds come next?
There are 27 dinner rolls in a box and 6 are taken out. How many dinner rolls are left?
Noah puts 8 flowers in each of 6 boxes. How many flowers is that altogether?
Omar has 8 pies. Mia has twice as many. How many pies do they have together?
Half of the 8 birds on the table are taken away. How many birds are left on the table?
Ben counts corn cobs in a pattern: 3, 7, 11, 15. How many corn cobs come next?
Santa has 8 reindeer, and then Rudolph joins. How many reindeer is that?
Zoe makes 4 rows of 3 tulips and adds 3 more at the end. How many tulips are there in all?
Noah puts 3 pumpkins in each of 7 boxes. How many pumpkins is that altogether?
8 butterflies are shared equally among 4 friends. How many butterflies does each friend get?
Sam has 14 snowballs and Zoe has 7. How many more snowballs does Sam have?
Ida counts ice cream cones in a pattern: 1, 3, 5, 7. How many ice cream cones come next?
There are 17 icicles in a box and 4 are taken out. How many icicles are left?
Omar puts 6 swimmers in each of 3 boxes. How many swimmers is that altogether?
Kai gets 7 calendars on Monday and 2 calendars on Tuesday, then gives away 5. How many calendars are left?
Noah has 11 boots. Omar has twice as many. How many boots do they have together?
Half of the 20 sand castles on the table are taken away. How many sand castles are left on the table?
Omar has 18 countdown cards and Leo has 7. How many more countdown cards does Omar have?
Leo counts sleds in a pattern: 5, 7, 9, 11. How many sleds come next?
Sam makes 5 rows of 3 shells and adds 4 more at the end. How many shells are there in all?
Lily makes 2 rows of 4 erasers and adds 4 more at the end. How many erasers are there in all?
There are 30 fireworks in a box and 8 are taken out. How many fireworks are left?
Ida puts 8 mittens in each of 3 boxes. How many mittens is that altogether?
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Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a calculator?
- No. Every math riddle here can be solved in your head or with a quick note on paper.