Free math games for 13- and 14-year-olds: linear graphs, the Pythagorean theorem, transformations and similarity.
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These 11 free math games for 8th graders practice linear graphs, the Pythagorean theorem, transformations, congruence and similarity, and angles. Students change the slope and intercept of y = mx + b, build squares on a right triangle, stretch shapes on a grid and find the scale factor. All games run on Chromebooks, tablets and phones, with no sign-up.
These are the Common Core State Standards for grade 8 that the games above practice, quoted from thecorestandards.org. Each one links to the games where students work on it.
8.EE.B.5 Graph proportional relationships, interpreting the unit rate as the slope of the graph. Compare two different proportional relationships represented in different ways. For example, compare a distance-time graph to a distance-time equation to determine which of two moving objects has greater speed.Practiced in: Speed, Distance & Time, Linear Graphs
8.EE.C.7 Solve linear equations in one variable.Practiced in: Equations & Balance
8.F.A.3 Interpret the equation y = mx + b as defining a linear function, whose graph is a straight line; give examples of functions that are not linear. For example, the function A = s² giving the area of a square as a function of its side length is not linear because its graph contains the points (1,1), (2,4) and (3,9), which are not on a straight line.Practiced in: Sequences & nth Term, Linear Graphs
8.F.B.4 Construct a function to model a linear relationship between two quantities. Determine the rate of change and initial value of the function from a description of a relationship or from two (x, y) values, including reading these from a table or from a graph. Interpret the rate of change and initial value of a linear function in terms of the situation it models, and in terms of its graph or a table of values.Practiced in: Sequences & nth Term, Linear Graphs
8.G.A.2 Understand that a two-dimensional figure is congruent to another if the second can be obtained from the first by a sequence of rotations, reflections, and translations; given two congruent figures, describe a sequence that exhibits the congruence between them.Practiced in: Congruent & Similar Shapes
8.G.A.3 Describe the effect of dilations, translations, rotations, and reflections on two-dimensional figures using coordinates.Practiced in: Slide, Flip & Turn
8.G.A.4 Understand that a two-dimensional figure is similar to another if the second can be obtained from the first by a sequence of rotations, reflections, translations, and dilations; given two similar two-dimensional figures, describe a sequence that exhibits the similarity between them.Practiced in: Congruent & Similar Shapes
8.G.A.5 Use informal arguments to establish facts about the angle sum and exterior angle of triangles, about the angles created when parallel lines are cut by a transversal, and the angle-angle criterion for similarity of triangles.Practiced in: Angles in Polygons
8.G.B.6 Explain a proof of the Pythagorean Theorem and its converse.Practiced in: Pythagorean Theorem
8.G.B.7 Apply the Pythagorean Theorem to determine unknown side lengths in right triangles in real-world and mathematical problems in two and three dimensions.Practiced in: Pythagorean Theorem
How to use these games in class
🚀 Starter (5 minutes)
Project Pythagorean Theorem and build the squares on a right triangle. Ask students to compare the areas of the three squares before you name the theorem.
🧩 Station (10–15 minutes)
Pairs use Linear Graphs to turn y = mx + b into a line, change the slope and the intercept, and write down what each change does.
🏠 Homework
Send the Congruent & Similar Shapes link home. Students stretch a shape on a grid, find the scale factor and say how its area changed.
Questions teachers and parents ask
What math do 8th graders learn?
Common Core names three focus areas for grade 8: expressions and equations, including linear equations; functions; and analyzing two- and three-dimensional space using distance, angle, similarity and congruence, including the Pythagorean theorem. These games cover linear graphs, the Pythagorean theorem and geometry. Systems of equations are not covered.
Which game teaches the Pythagorean theorem?
Pythagorean Theorem has students build squares on a right triangle, find the hypotenuse and hunt for whole-number triples. That fits Common Core 8.G.B.6 (a proof of the theorem and its converse) and 8.G.B.7 (unknown side lengths in right triangles).
Are these math games free, and do students need an account?
Yes, they are free. Students do not need an account, a download or an email address: open the link in a browser on a Chromebook, tablet, laptop or phone and play.
How do the levels, missions and stars work?
Most games have three levels, so a student can start easy and move up: a free play mode where nothing can go wrong, missions that award up to 3 stars, and a short timed challenge with no penalties.