# Equate 8 — A Math Puzzle Game

> Math puzzle game to balance eight equations in a 3x3 grid. (iPhone/iPad app by Cinq-Mars Media.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/equate-8/id6738832528 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cinq-Mars Media](https://appshunter.io/developer/924648806)
- Category: Games, Education, Casual, Puzzle
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 12 App Store ratings · 8 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 18 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2025-07-09
- Data updated: 2026-06-03
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/equate-8/id6738832528/reviews.md

## What is Equate 8?

Equate 8 is a bold reimagining of the classic magic square—an innovative, addictive math puzzle featured at New York City’s Museum of Mathematics. Players rearrange numbers in a 3×3 grid to balance eight equations at once (three rows, three columns, two diagonals), racing to solve the puzzle in the fewest moves. With multiple operators, escalating difficulty levels, and medals awarded for efficiency, Equate 8 is as rewarding as it is challenging.

Equate 8 is the sequel to our Webby-nominated game The Devil’s Calculator, named one of PAX’s 10 Best Indie Games of 2019. 

Disguised as a casual mobile game, Equate 8 is a powerful interactive learning tool. Our talk will explore the sophisticated math behind the project and debut a new feature allowing educators to design levels aligned with their curricula. With its blend of pedagogical depth, intuitive design, and playful challenge, Equate 8 shows how games can transform math education. It empowers students, supports teachers, and makes math feel like play.

Solving the grid in fewer moves will gain a silver or gold medal, but a bronze is awarded regardless, so don't stress. The daily puzzle gives players a free way to play and unlock content. Acquire “streaks” tokens by playing regularly. Exchange medals and streaks for Challenges, packs of themed puzzles. If the squares seem too complicated, open the menu to try Snap Mode. A number will automatically be locked (circled) when in the correct place. This mode can be played in a limited number of sequences before it reverts to the default. Donate to our nonprofit for access to unlimited difficulty levels.Equate 8 is a fun casual game for all ages, whether practicing math skills or engaging brainpower. Donations support the mission of Cinq-Mars Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to develop educational games, always provided free to teachers and students.

## Key features

- Magic square reimagining
- Balance eight equations
- Multiple operators
- Escalating difficulty levels
- Medals for efficiency
- Daily puzzle
- Snap Mode for assistance

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Endless Levels! | $2.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (8 of 8)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/equate-8/id6738832528/reviews.md

### 2/5 — Didn’t like

*2025-10-31*

This sits in a confused space between homework worksheet and mathy puzzle. The nature of these puzzles - essentially stacked simple algebras - means winning is more about reaching a semi-arbitrary arrangement of equations rather than logic. There's no real way to sit back and strategize at the start of a game, so it's neither addictive nor challenging. The onboarding is somewhat clear, but some basic mechanics are too ambiguous - it fails the 'what do I do next' test.

### 3/5 — Fun I guess?

*2025-10-13*

I can see the appeal but if your brain isn’t wired for this game then there might as well be an infinite amount of combinations; there’s also no way to know when a puzzle is solved until “oops I accidentally solved it, I have no clue what I just did” I don’t see a way to learn from your mistakes or improve

### 5/5 — Brain Workout

*2025-07-27*

This game keeps my mental game sharp like a good sudoku

### 5/5 — Sudoku meets Algebra!

*2025-07-26*

Easy mode is the perfect challenge for someone who isn’t great at math like me. I can feel myself getting the hang of it though! Even though squares with bigger numbers seem intimidating at first, I’ve actually found them easier than ones where all the numbers are small. This is a game that’s challenging me to problem solve instead of applying some simple algorithm I learned in grade school algebra. I’ve been viewing the four squares in the top left as one set and the other five as another set. Then it really becomes a game of math sudoku. I love it!

### 5/5 — Brain Teaser

*2025-07-21*

Deceptively simple-looking grid of nine numbers creates eight equations when figures are moved correctly. Fun challenge for casual gamers who enjoy puzzles and/or math.

### 5/5 — Great Game

*2025-07-19*

Love this. Tons of fun and will be great for my math students (middle school) to play with!

### 5/5 — Equate 8

*2025-07-18*

This game was challenging but at the same time fun to play.

### 5/5 — Great game

*2025-07-18*

No ads. No fluff. Just pure logic puzzles that make your brain happy. 10/10.

## Frequently asked questions about Equate 8

### What is Equate 8?

Equate 8 is a math puzzle game where players rearrange numbers in a 3x3 grid to solve eight equations at once. It's a reimagining of the classic magic square concept and is suitable for all ages.

### How do you play Equate 8?

You rearrange numbers in a 3x3 grid to make three rows, three columns, and two diagonals all equal. The game awards medals for solving the puzzle in fewer moves, encouraging efficiency.

### Is Equate 8 free to play?

Yes, Equate 8 offers a daily puzzle for free play and unlocking content. Additional features like unlimited difficulty levels can be accessed through donations to the nonprofit developer.

### Does Equate 8 have ads?

No, Equate 8 does not contain advertisements. The developer, Cinq-Mars Media, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on creating educational games.

### Can educators use Equate 8?

Yes, Equate 8 is designed as an interactive learning tool. A feature allows educators to design levels aligned with their curricula, supporting teachers and making math engaging for students.

### What is Snap Mode in Equate 8?

Snap Mode is a feature that can be activated from the menu to help players. When in Snap Mode, a number will automatically be locked (circled) if it is in the correct position.

### How often is Equate 8 updated?

The latest version of Equate 8 is 1.5, which was last updated on September 9, 2025. This indicates a recent update, suggesting ongoing development and support.

### What devices support Equate 8?

Equate 8 is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices. It is rated for ages 4 and up, making it accessible for a wide range of young learners and players.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.5 — 2025-09-09

A new 'generate' feature for educators to cater puzzles to curriculum goals plus several bug fixes and stability improvements. Also the announcement and implementation of a forthcoming, all new "blitz" mode that features exciting new gameplay and offers an additional, free daily challenge to do with friends and family.

### 1.0.3 — 2025-08-28

New feature that allows for exhaustive generation of puzzles according to parameters, designed for teachers looking to cater the app to their curriculum and showcased at the Museum of Mathematics MOVES conference. Miscellaneous bug and stability improvements along with redesigns to menus to make the GUI cleaner. We have renamed "easy mode" to "snap mode" for clarity.

### 1.0.2 — 2025-07-15

Miscellaneous bug fixes

### 1.0.1 — 2025-07-11

Critical bug fix where users can get soft-locked during the tutorial.

### 1.0 — 2025-07-10

No release notes.

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## More apps by Cinq-Mars Media

- [Synonymy](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synonymy/id924648807)
- [Synonymy Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synonymy-lite/id938998017)
- [Word Unknown](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/word-unknown/id1064901570)
- [SugarSweet](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sugarsweet/id1151606636)
- [PolitiTruth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polititruth/id1217091559)
- [The Devil's Calculator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-devils-calculator/id1447599858)

All apps by Cinq-Mars Media: https://appshunter.io/developer/924648806

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-03.*