"Geocaching" (pronounced "geo cashing") is the sport of using GPS systems to locate hidden boxes at different geographical locations across the country. Directions and clues are left in the boxes to aid in the journey.

In the spirit of geocaching, we have created activities called "MathCaching" which use the internet to find hidden boxes to reveal clues to the continuation of the games. Your success at "MathCaching" is dependent upon your skills at solving mathematical problems.

The MathCaching games are subject area dependent. There are versions of MathCaching for Basic Math Skills ("BasicCaching"), Algebra ("AlgeCaching"), Geometry ("GeoCaching"), Algebra2 (Alge2Caching), Trig ("TrigCaching"), PreCalculus ("PreCalcuCaching") and Calculus ("CalcuCaching").

The MathCaching screens are deliberately "large" in print so that they can be projected for classroom use. A teacher answer key (including the URL addresses of all of the boxes) is available upon request from a school district email address.

The on-line versions available through this area of the MathBits.com website are shortened versions of the subscription MathCaching classroom games. The classroom versions include sets of full length class worksheets used to find the hidden internet boxes. The classroom versions are available in their respective subscriptions areas.

Note to Teachers: The Algebra 1 Resource Subscription Area includes an extensive classroom MathCaching Game ("AlgeCaching") on the topic "End of the Year Review". It contains 6 full length review worksheets and 6 hidden internet boxes. If your class (or team) completes the entire MathCaching journey, your class can be entered in a drawing for a gift card to Dunkin' Donuts to celebrate their success. You may enter more than one team from one class. Review topics include: Systems, Functions, Exponents, Radicals, Pythagorean Theorem, Trigonometry, Polynomials, Factoring, Area, Probability, Statistics, Quadratics, and Rationals.

To Play the Open Versions of MathCaching:  

1. Go to the "START the GAME" internet URL address for your chosen area.

2. Solve the math problem(s) at that location.

3. Follow the directions (based upon your answers) to find the address of the next hidden internet box.

4. Into your browser, TYPE the address of the next hidden box, using your answer to fill in the missing portion of the URL address.

5. When you find the final hidden box, a certificate is available stating that all of the hidden boxes have been discovered. Students may want to print the certificate to share their success with their math teacher, or teachers may request the certificate (along with the work) to verify that the activity was completed.

6. Good luck with your MathCaching journey!!