This = That; a PEMDAS activity

Given five integers, and the four basic arithmetic operations, with parenthesis available, try to determine an expression that equates to a target number.

This is the premise for the app "This = That". The player can create an expression using any number of digits, the more digits they use the higher score that is received.

For each missed guess, or re-deal, it will cost the player a few points from their accumulated total.  The correct value of your incorrect guess is displayed to help you refine your thinking.

Along with the thought involved in determining a correct expression, try out this evaluation exercise.  Give the students 5 minutes to accumulate as many points as possible.  What route do you take?  Does one provide many shorter 2-3 digit expressions for fewer points each, or go for the bigger 5 digit expressions and obtain a larger amount of points?