Button Bot
The bot’s screen shows a number and only a few buttons still work. Reach the goal number using exactly the presses the battery allows. Three rounds a day at every level.
How to play
- The bot's screen shows a number. Press its buttons to turn it into the goal number. Beat all 3 rounds to win!
- The battery holds exactly the presses you need, no spares. Run out and the round starts over. Undo gives a charge back.
- The screen only shows whole numbers, zero or more. A press that would break that makes the bot dizzy, and uses no battery.
Four levels: pick your heat
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Mild
Try a press in your head first: what would ×2 do to the screen?
With Tan the Turtle. Play today's Mild Button Bot →
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Medium
Big goal? Multiply first. Need to shrink? That’s what ÷ is for.
With Digit the Fox. Play today's Medium Button Bot →
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Spicy
Try working backward from the goal: which button could have made it on the very last press?
With Blaze the Dragon. Play today's Spicy Button Bot →
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Extra Spicy
Try working backward from the goal, one press at a time. Goal ends in a 5? Maybe the last press typed a 5!
With Pi the Owl. Play today's Extra Spicy Button Bot →
What math it practices
- Inverse operations and working backward
- Mental math with all four operations
- Integers, squares and place value (Spicy and Extra Spicy)
- Trying, checking and revising a plan
Best for grades 3–8, and fun for grown-ups too. Every level has its own daily leaderboard, and solving any puzzle on its day keeps your streak going.
Questions
What is the best strategy for Button Bot?
Work backward. Start at the goal and ask which button could have made it — then undo that step in your head. It’s the same idea as solving an equation.
What happens when the battery runs out?
The round resets to its starting number so you can try again. There’s no penalty except time.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
Free, with no sign-up. Every visitor gets a guest name like Mathlete4821. The site never asks for a name, email or age.
What do the peppers mean?
There are four levels: Mild 🌶️ (warm up), Medium 🌶️🌶️, Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️ and Extra Spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ (big-brain challenge). Play any level, or all four, every day. Each level has its own leaderboard.
When is there a new puzzle?
Every day at midnight Pacific time. Missed a day? Past puzzles stay playable.
Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. The puzzles make a quick warm-up or a challenge for early finishers, and they work on phones, tablets, Chromebooks and the classroom screen.