SPACE ACADEMY · TRY, THINK, PLAY

PP2: Add a little, take a little

Interpret models, find unknown amounts and link operations instead of only calculating a total.

Try a quick challenge

Just a quick try. Not saved; no game rewards.

ExploreAddition and missing amounts

2 beds hold pods. How many pods in all?

BED 1BED 2
  1. 7
  2. 6
  3. 4
  4. 2
Need a hint?

Count the pods from every bed, not only one.

Answer & method
Answer B: 6

2 + 4 = 6, so there are 6 pods altogether.

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ReasonAddition and missing amounts

Count all the pods in the 2 garden beds.

BED 1BED 2
  1. 8
  2. 9
  3. 3
  4. 5
Need a hint?

Count the pods from every bed, not only one.

Answer & method
Answer A: 8

3 + 5 = 8, so there are 8 pods altogether.

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StretchAddition and missing amounts

From 7, follow the arrows. What number is last?

0246810121416182012
  1. 7
  2. 11
  3. 5
  4. 9
Need a hint?

Move right to add, left to take away.

Answer & method
Answer D: 9

7 + 4 - 2 = 9.

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For grown-ups

Ideas to practise

  • Addition and missing amounts. Combine the amounts, or work backwards from the total.
  • Subtraction and change. Start with the original amount and take away what was used.
  • Working backwards. Undo the last operation first, then undo the earlier operation.
  • Comparing quantities. Compare the values, not the size or spacing of their pictures.

A game mission has 5 untimed questions. Only the game saves choices and hints. A finished mission earns one launch charge and participation towards the Landing thruster in Planet Hopper. The chapter goal is 5 different questions in finished sets; hints and wrong answers count as participation, not mastery. Some craft systems link more than one chapter.

Choose a level

Explore

Foundations: read a representation and practise the underlying idea.

  • Join groups of seed pods
  • Solve a short add or take-away story
  • Count the pods that stay
  • Find a hidden part of a whole bar
  • Pair rows to find how many more
Play Explore

Reason

Paper-style reasoning: connect clues, interpret a diagram or work backwards.

  • Join groups of seed pods
  • Solve a short add or take-away story
  • Count the pods that stay
  • Find a hidden part of a whole bar
  • Follow forward and backward hops
Play Reason

Stretch

Higher-order practice: link conditions, test statements and avoid a tempting wrong method.

  • Join groups of seed pods
  • Solve a short add or take-away story
  • Count the pods that stay
  • Find a hidden part of a whole bar
  • Follow forward and backward hops
  • Pair rows to find how many more
Play Stretch

Levels change representations, clues and conditions, not just the numbers. These are practice formats, not validated exam-equivalent difficulty.

Using the feedback

Learning reports distinguish hinted answers from independent first choices. They consider up to 20 recent different, unhinted questions per skill and level, and wait for at least five before suggesting extra practice. Repeating the same question does not add evidence. Reports are practice evidence, not IQ scores, diagnoses, ranks or predictions of competition results.

Ask the learner to explain a drawing or check with objects too. Choose Explore or an earlier chapter when a step feels too large.

Sources & limits

PP1 and PP2 are Otterly pre-primary readiness activities, not official SOF IMO levels or formal Olympiad papers. The CREST KG sample informed picture-led activities; it does not establish an equivalent school level.

Questions, diagrams, picture choices, hints and explanations are original Otterly work, not copied paper questions or publisher artwork. No Olympiad provider is affiliated with or endorses Space Academy. This is not complete exam preparation; follow classroom teaching and check the current official syllabus too. Independent educator review is still needed for difficulty and breadth.

Content and coverage notes. To report a confusing question, describe the grade, chapter, level and question on the contact page. Do not send children’s personal information.

Private, local saves

Game progress stays only in this browser, in three anonymous explorer slots. Clearing site data or closing a private session may remove it. Download a private backup from Help & saves; there is no cloud sync. The game checks saves before play and stops on save failures rather than pretending progress was saved.

These page examples never change a saved game. Game links carry question settings, not a learner’s answers. There are no names, school details, public profiles, chat, analytics or advertising SDKs in the game. Grown-up guidance · Privacy

Original Otterly practice, not an official exam. Game progress stays on this browser.