6th Grade Inequality Math Game (32 Card PDF)

About this resource

What's inside this resource

A 32-card matching deck pairs sixteen inequality representations across four card pages: number-line graphs matched to their inequality (x ≤ -2), unsolved one-step inequalities matched to their simplified form (3x ≤ 36 to x ≤ 12), written phrases matched to their symbolic inequality ("a number times 3 is greater than 10" to 3x > 10), and short real-world scenarios matched to the inequality that models them, such as a 60-pound bag limit paired with x ≤ 50. Students each hold one card, move silently around the room to find the classmate holding the matching value, and pair off to the side once matched, with the deck reusable as a standard face-down memory game instead. A second, separately structured 32-card deck pairs sixteen fractions with their decimal equivalents, such as 1/20 and 0.05, and can be played the same way as its own round.

Product description

From the author

Teaching your students about how to write and evaluate inequalities in algebra can sometimes end up being a bit dry. Try adding this game to your algebra unit to bring a little movement and collaboration to your classroom.

It's a super simple game: just print the cards and cut them out. There are 32 cards in 16 pairs. Deal one card to each student in your class. They should spend half a minute looking at their card and thinking of other ways it could be represented. For example, if they have a number line: what inequality does it show? If they have an inequality, could it be simplified?

Then, all the students get up and move around the room (SILENTLY!). They can use gestures while looking at each others' cards and trying to find their match. Pairs move to the side of the room until everyone is matched up. It's that simple!

Of course, you could also use these cards for a standard memory game where you flip two cards at a time and try to find matches.

I have also included a second set of cards that have pairs of fractions and decimals (for example 1/20 and 0.05).

Grades to Use With:

These cards are designed to target the standard 6EE.B.8 in grade six classrooms, but they could also be an excellent quick review in grades 7 and 8!

What's Included:

9 Page PDF: Title/Instruction Page

4 Pages of Inequality Cards

4 Pages of Fractions and Decimal Cards

If you enjoy this product, check out other 6th Grade Algebra Activities in my store:

Pre-Algebra Problem: The Wave Pool with Expressions, Tables, and Graphs

Algebra: Modelling Equations: Visual Balance Scale Worksheet

Exponent Board Game

Independent and Dependent Variables in 6th Grade Math: Hockey Math

Middle School Math Stations: Early Algebra

In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

Match a number-line graph to its equivalent one-variable inequality.
Simplify a one-step inequality and match it to its solved form.
Translate a written word phrase into its symbolic one-variable inequality.
Model a short real-world scenario as a one-variable inequality and simplify it.
Match a fraction to its equivalent decimal value using the bonus card deck.

Teaching tips

Use the deck as a warm-up or as an end-of-class reward, as the instructions page suggests.
Shuffle one deck and give each student one card; give them a moment to determine their card's value before starting the silent matching round.
Once everyone is paired up, reshuffle and re-deal to play again, or switch to a standard face-down memory-game format with the same cards.
Run the inequality deck and the fraction/decimal deck as two separate rounds, since they are separately themed 32-card sets.

Skills covered

Inequality representation — students match a number-line graph to its equivalent inequality statement, such as x ≤ -2.
One-step inequality solving — students match an unsolved inequality like 3x ≤ 36 to its simplified solution x ≤ 12.
Verbal-to-symbolic translation — students match a written phrase such as "a number times 3 is greater than 10" to the inequality 3x > 10.
Real-world problem modeling — students match short scenarios, such as a class-size or weight limit, to the one-variable inequality that represents them.
Fraction-decimal equivalence — students match fractions like 1/20 to their decimal equivalents like 0.05 on the bonus card deck.

Good to know

Questions teachers ask about this resource

Do the word-problem cards require solving, or just translating into an inequality?

Both — for example, the card "My tools weigh 10 lbs, and my bag can be 60 lbs. How much more can I pack?" matches to the solved inequality x ≤ 50, so students translate the scenario and simplify it in one step.

Can the fraction-and-decimal deck be played on its own, separate from the inequality cards?

Yes — it's a separate 32-card deck with its own set of fraction-to-decimal matches, such as 1/20 and 0.05, so it can be played as its own round using the same matching or memory-game format.

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Curriculum

Standards, concepts & topics

Standards

6.EE.B.8 — Write an inequality of the form x > c or x < c to represent a constraint or condition in a real-world or mathematical problem. Recognize that inequalities of the form x > c or x < c have infinitely many solutions; represent solutions of such inequalities on number line diagrams.
7.EE.B.4 — Use variables to represent quantities in a real-world or mathematical problem, and construct simple equations and inequalities to solve problems by reasoning about the quantities. a. Solve word problems leading to equations of the form px + q = r and p(x + q) = r, where p, q, and r are specific rational numbers. Solve equations of these forms fluently. Compare an algebraic solution to an arithmetic solution, identifying the sequence of the operations used in each approach. For example, the perimeter of a rectangle is 54 cm. Its length is 6 cm. What is its width? b. Solve word problems leading to inequalities of the form px + q > r or px + q < r, where p, q, and r are specific rational numbers. Graph the solution set of the inequality and interpret it in the context of the problem. For example: As a salesperson, you are paid $50 per week plus $3 per sale. This week you want your pay to be at least $100. Write an inequality for the number of sales you need to make, and describe the solutions.