# Sums Stacker — by Math Doodles > Educational math puzzle game for addition and subtraction practice. (iPhone/iPad app by Carstens Studios Inc..) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sums-stacker/id343251346 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Carstens Studios Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/343251349) - Category: Education, Games - Price: $1.99 - Rating: 4.80/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 17 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 8.0 · 13 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2009-12-09 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sums-stacker/id343251346/reviews.md ## What is Sums Stacker? "Sums Stacker" is one of a series of challenges included in the award winning "Math Doodles" iPad app. This version of "Sums Stacker" has been designed specifically for the iPhone/iPodTouch screens. * 2010 Parents' Choice Gold Award winner - Parents' Choice Foundation * * Editor's Choice Award for Excellence in Design - Children's Technology Review * --------------------------------------- "The challenge is bite sized and addicting" - Children's Technology Review www.childrenstech.com "I really enjoyed Sums Stacker. It’s got charm and I love the twist it puts on practicing Math." - www.theiphonemom.com "This is a great, fun way to improve math fluency without boring drills." - www.bestkidsapps.com "Deceptively simple, this aptly named game holds contagious appeal for many age groups." - Parents' Choice Foundation www.parents-choice.org ----------------------------------------- Sums Stacker is a "Math Doodles" challenge that provides plenty of addition and subtraction practice, within a recreational math setting. The mathematical puzzle allows users to play with different representations of numbers, while developing their number sense to create strategies to help them solve problems. There are two modes of play, solve and race, and two difficulty levels. THE PUZZLE: Numerals are piled into three stacks. Each stack is randomly assigned a target sum. Move numerals and sets of numerals around with the tip of your finger from stack to stack until the sums of each stack equal the target sums represented at the bottom of the screen. Once the stacks match the sums, the screen clears and you get another challenge. The numbers are represented in eight ways that vary in their level of abstraction: preschoolers might start with the fingers, dice or ringlets, because they can be easily counted, while older children or adults can find a challenge with coins, Roman numerals, or the word spelled in Spanish. VALUE REPRESENTATION OPTIONS: - Dice - Fingers - Hole Tiles - Ten Frames - Tally Marks - Spanish Tally Marks - Numerals - Roman Numerals - Chinese Numbers - Arabic Numbers - Gurmukhi Numbers - Hebrew Numbers - Hindi Numbers - Binary Numbers - Braille - English Words - Spanish Words - Math Prefixes - Polygons - US Coins - US Dollars - Area Fractions - Bar Fractions - Fractions - Random Design SOLVE MODE: Strategically solve five random sets in the fewest number of moves. Receive a smiley face for each puzzle solved. INFINITY MODE: Allows the user to play as long as they wish. RACE MODE: Rack up as many points as you can solving puzzles, before time runs out. The timer is represented by a tab of paper that works its way around the edge of the screen. EASY MODE: All three target sums are shown. HARD MODE: To make things a little bit harder, one of the target sums is left as an unknown. MATH GOALS: - Number & Operations - Number Sense - Addition - Subtraction - Problem Solving - Mathematical Reasoning - Math Enjoyment ---------------------------------------- "This approach to addition and subtraction is much more engaging than flash cards." "This game is extremely well designed and executed." "The proof is in the pudding so the fact that my kids chose to play this game so much speaks to its enormous value." "I Like the fact that they are problem solving and thinking mathematically while practicing basic math facts." "Although this game is geared toward kids, I often find myself playing it while commuting on public transit as it is challenging, addictive, and can be played in short sessions." ----------------------------------------- www.mathdoodles.com Please take a look at these other Math Doodle apps: MATH DOODLES - iPad App SYMMETRY SHUFFLE - iPad App CONNECT SUMS - iPhone/iPodTouch ----------------------------------------- ## Key features - Addition and subtraction practice - Number stacking puzzle - Multiple number representations - Two game modes: solve and race - Two difficulty levels - Develops number sense and problem-solving ## Recent user reviews (10 of 17) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sums-stacker/id343251346/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Fantastic *2013-03-02* This is educational software at its very best: clever, beautiful, and enjoyable. The hand-drawn UI is really charming, and the behaviors (movement and sound) build on it well. The ability to choose different numbering systems (dice, roman nums, braille, tallies, binary, hex, etc.) suggests a deep lesson, that math is both true *and* cultural. And the range of problems - and problem-solving techniques it invites - is impressive. There isn't a patronizing pixel in this app. And, best of all, it made me curious about the dev's other apps - some of which are even more interesting. ### 5/5 — Great Math app *2013-02-03* Goes beyond just basic math skills. Enough with all the basic addition and subtraction apps. We need more like this app ### 5/5 — Great *2012-11-05* Such a tight, simple and effective app. for re-enforcing math skills. ### 5/5 — LOVE all of these apps! *2012-09-17* This app (and all of them in this series) gives a fun way to 'practice' addition. The doodle-y graphics, dice, fingers, holes, tally marks… etc… just make it that much more entertaining… but the best thing is that you aren't just given equations to solve, but problems to solve. One of my sons likes it on 'solve' mode, where he can take the time he needs to make each sum correct, and the other likes racing the clock to see how quickly he can solve it. This is a must for classroom iPod kits. ### 4/5 — Simple but fun *2012-05-31* My 5 year old really likes this game. It's quite simple but challenging enough to keep him interested. He already like maths and numbers and his older sisters aren't so interested. Plays on it a few times a week. ### 5/5 — Awsome😃 *2012-03-24* I thought it was the most best math game ever! It comes in dice that you can try to figure it out with. It was so much fun! ### 5/5 — Hidden Gem! *2011-07-12* This is just the spice to add to an already good math curriculum. Another way to teach addition to a 2 year old. It's awesome! ### 5/5 — Speck Products PixelSkin HD Rubberized Wrap Case for iPad 2 (SPK-A0324) by Speck *2011-04-23* Great for review of basic facts and mathematical reasoning. ### 3/5 — Looks like a great app. Wish it worked on my phone. *2010-04-27* App doesn't work on my older iPhone. Glad I didn't pay more than a buck for it. It's disappointing. Looks like a great game for my 6 year old son. ### 5/5 — Fun Math Practice *2010-03-29* As an elementary math teacher I used Math Arena in my classroom for years. My students thought it was a treat to play, and I knew they were building math concepts and skills with every game. I'd love to see more of the Math Arena games, such as Flipster & Splat Degree , available on iPhone. ## Frequently asked questions about Sums Stacker ### What is Sums Stacker? Sums Stacker is an educational game designed to help users practice addition and subtraction. It presents a puzzle where numbers are stacked, and players must arrange them to match target sums. ### What math skills does Sums Stacker help with? Sums Stacker focuses on developing number sense, addition, and subtraction skills. It also encourages problem-solving and mathematical reasoning in an enjoyable way. ### How does Sums Stacker represent numbers? The game offers a wide variety of number representations, including dice, fingers, numerals, Roman numerals, Spanish words, and US coins, catering to different learning styles and ages. ### What are the game modes in Sums Stacker? Sums Stacker features two primary modes: 'Solve Mode' for strategic puzzle-solving and 'Race Mode' for a timed challenge to score points. ### What are the difficulty levels in Sums Stacker? There are two difficulty levels: 'Easy Mode' where all target sums are visible, and 'Hard Mode' where one target sum is hidden, increasing the challenge. ### Is Sums Stacker suitable for young children? Yes, with an age rating of 4+, Sums Stacker is designed to be accessible for young learners. The varied number representations allow for gradual progression in abstraction. ### What devices can I play Sums Stacker on? Sums Stacker is available for iPhone and iPod Touch devices, optimized for their screen sizes. ### How much does Sums Stacker cost? Sums Stacker is a paid application, available for a one-time purchase of $1.99. ## Version history (last 3 releases) ### 1.0.3 — 2017-09-13 This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon. updated for latest iOS. ### 1.0.2 — 2012-08-21 Major Update The original Sums Stacker allowed the choice of playing with 8 different value representations. This update includes 25 value representation options including: Dice, Fingers, Hole Tiles, Ten Frames, Tally Marks, Spanish Tally Marks, Numerals, Roman Numerals, Chinese Numbers, Arabic Numbers, Gurmukhi Numbers, Hebrew Numbers, Hindi Numbers, Binary Numbers, Braille, English Words, Spanish Words, Math Prefixes, Polygons, US Coins, US Dollars, Area Fractions, Bar Fractions, Fractions, Random Design ### 1.0.1 — 2009-12-09 No release notes. ## Apps similar to Sums Stacker | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Politiebril](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/politiebril/id1544706020) | — | Free | Education | | [Huntley Project Schools](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/huntley-project-schools/id6736835741) | — | Free | Education | | [BOT Junior High Number Sense](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bot-junior-high-number-sense/id1436534130) | — | Free | Education | | [Dino Game 3D Shapes Blocks](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dino-game-3d-shapes-blocks/id1462729877) | 1.0 (1) | Free | Education | | [Skip Counting by Fact Foundry](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skip-counting-by-fact-foundry/id1630662867) | 3.0 (1) | Free | Education | | [Number Run](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/number-run/id563408572) | 4.5 (1,060) | $2.99 | Education | ## More apps by Carstens Studios Inc. - [Symmetry Shuffle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/symmetry-shuffle/id387650111) - [Math Doodles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-doodles/id526959716) - [Attributes by Math Doodles](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/attributes-by-math-doodles/id989198394) All apps by Carstens Studios Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/343251349 --- *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 2026-06-10.*