Game on: solving for x-citement with interactive algebra

We all want to make smarter use of our screentime. But when it comes to deciding between crushing candy or doing something actually useful for ourselves—sorry, brain—candy wins. That’s the problem we faced: how do we make solving for x as much of a dopamine blast as shooting birds from a slingshot? Our solution: create a learning experience that leverages a learner’s natural intuition and injects the excitement and interactivity of a great mobile game.

You’re a natural

The best games are intuitive. You press play and just know what to do. We took the same approach with Solving Equations. The entire course was built around the idea that you already know algebra. And in the first lesson, we prove it, by starting you with puzzles you can solve by intuition alone. Before you can say “variable,” you’re feeling confident and ready to level up.

Without any formulas, you can probably figure out the weight of a triangle by intuition. These puzzles show that solving equations doesn’t have to feel abstract—it’s something you can already do.

Action first. Theory later.

Explaining everything you’re going to do before letting you do it is a bad way to start a game. Unsurprisingly, it’s also a bad way to start learning something new. Yet, that’s how traditional math courses are usually designed. So when we made Solving Equations, we ran in the opposite direction.

We drop learners right into the action—getting them hands-on with algebra. They build knowledge by constructing equations with drag-and-drop elements, or pulling fruit onto a grocery scale to calculate the best deal. Then, once they’ve intuitively learned an arsenal of problem-solving techniques, we introduce them to the algebraic names of those techniques. You can almost hear the a-ha moments, as people realize they’ve been doing algebra without even knowing it.

Building your arsenal

Once learners have built confidence through their first few lessons, it’s time to start building a more robust algebraic toolkit. In a mobile game, players might pick up new weapons and spells to help defeat the big boss. Algebra is the same—equations become your sword and shield, letting you take on increasingly harder problems.

Ready player one?

Algebra can feel intimidating. But by leaning into people’s intuitive problem-solving skills, and their natural love of doing, algebra can quickly go from unapproachable to un-put-downable. Add in building confidence and a sharper, smarter mind—and crushing candy suddenly feels less fun.

Ready to start solving? Explore Brilliant’s Solving Equations course today and discover how intuitive algebra can be.