An individual Maths Fair item in which a student creates and presents a mathematical puzzle, scored out of 100 at all four levels with a mark for logical thinking.
A Puzzle entry presents a mathematical puzzle the student has designed or adapted, with a solution and an explanation of the reasoning behind it. Examples include number puzzles, magic squares, logic grids, tangram-type shape puzzles and weights-and-balance problems.
In the The Kerala School Sasthrolsavam Mathematics Fair (Ganithashastramela) it is an individual item open to girls and boys at all four levels.
What makes a puzzle score well is that it is solvable, has a clear idea behind it and invites the visitor to think. The student should be able to show the solution, explain why it works and vary the difficulty.
Judges give 15 marks for logical thinking and reasoning, which reflects the item’s focus.
Where Puzzle is run
This item is part of the official Kerala School Sasthrolsavam Mathematics Fair, the state school mathematics exhibition that runs from school level through sub-district, district and state rounds, and is installed on eTalenter through the Maths Fair template built from the official item list and evaluation indicators. This page describes the Kerala format only.
- Kerala, India
Key facts
- Individual item, girls and boys.
- Offered at all four levels.
- Content and mathematical value 30, curriculum link 20, presentation and write-up 25, logical thinking and reasoning 15, exhibition 10.
- The puzzle should be playable by visitors.
- A solution and a write-up are expected.
- The student explains the reasoning.
On eTalenter, Puzzle is filed under Special and typically scored with Marks. It appears in 1 ready-made event templates — each one can adjust its time limit, age-group assignment and scoring setup independently.
Across the templates that use it, Puzzle is most often entered as an Individual competition, typically scored out of 100.
What judges look at in Puzzle
What a Puzzle panel is actually weighing up, and where the marks are usually won or lost:
- Knowledge of content and mathematical value (30): real mathematics under the puzzle.
- Relationship with the curriculum (20): linked to class topics.
- Mode of presentation and write-up (25): clear rules and solution note.
- Logical thinking and reasoning (15): a puzzle that develops reasoning.
- Exhibition (10): ability to guide visitors.
Treat these as the judging focus, not a fixed rubric: publish your own weighted criteria for Puzzle under Scoring Setup, or start from the judging and scoring software guide.
How to prepare for Puzzle
How entrants and their teachers usually get Puzzle right on the day:
- Start with a mathematical idea, then build the puzzle around it.
- Test the puzzle on friends to check it is solvable and fair.
- Write the rules in two or three sentences.
- Prepare a hint ladder from easy to hard.
- Make durable pieces that can be handled.
- Prepare the solution and the reason it works.
- Practise guiding a visitor without giving it away.
- Idea to try: a magic square with a missing-number challenge
- Idea to try: a river-crossing logic puzzle with counters
- Idea to try: a shape puzzle that tiles a rectangle in several ways
Ready-made event templates that include Puzzle
Open any template to preview it in eTalenter and install it as a live, editable event.
| Template | Category | Score label | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala School Sasthrolsavam – Mathematics Fair | Special | Marks | 4 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Puzzle judged individually or as a team?
Across eTalenter’s templates it’s most often run as an Individual entry, though an organiser can set either participation type when assigning the item to an age group.
Can I use a famous puzzle?
Yes, if you explain the mathematics and add your own variation.
Is it the same as Game?
Puzzle emphasises logical reasoning; Game emphasises enjoyment value and creativity.
Must visitors be able to play?
It helps the exhibition marks.
Which levels?
All four.
Want the full judging picture? Read the judging and scoring software guide, or browse every special competition item.
Try Puzzle in eTalenter
See every ready-made template that runs Puzzle, and install one as a live event — age groups, rules and scoring included.
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