Welcome to the WFF 'N PROOF store
3-Game Best Sellers Special
SAVE $21.00
For 2 or more playersAges: 6 through adults
$79.00
Our three best selling games at a special discount– SAVE $21.00 off the regular retail price. Order this $100.00 value for only $79.00. Includes
EQUATIONS: The Game of Creative Mathematics (Deluxe version including “Learning to Play” DVD)
WFF ‘N PROOF: The Game of Modern Logic
The PROPAGANDA Game
4-Game Language Arts Special
SAVE $26.00
For 2 or more playersAges: 8 through adults
$99.00
SAVE $26.00 on a delightful assortment of games dealing with language structure, theory and persuasive uses. Purchase this $125.00 value for only $99.00. Includes
ON-WORDS: The Game of Word Structures
LinguiSHTIK: A Creative Language Game
QUERIES ‘N THEORIES: The Game of Science and Language
The PROPAGANDA Game
6-Unit Mathematics Special
SAVE $42.50
For 2 or more playersAges: 6 through adults
$159.00
SAVE $42.50 on this high-powered assortment of math and logic games with computer software designed to turn anyone into an EQUATIONS whiz. A $201.50 value for only $159.00. Includes
EQUATIONS: The Game of Creative Mathematics (Deluxe version including “Learning to Play” DVD)
WFF ‘N PROOF: The Game of Modern Logic
ON-SETS: The Game of Set Theory
The REAL NUMBERS Game
The DIG MATH Computer Program
EQUATIONS Challenge Matches (Computer Software)
7-Game Special
SAVE $46.00
For 2 or more playersAges: 6 through adults
$179.00
SAVE $46.00 on this special assortment of our most important and popular games. These revolutionary learning materials have brought joy and skyrocketing performance to significant areas of study. A $225.00 value for only $179.00. Includes
EQUATIONS: The Game of Creative Mathematics (Deluxe version including “Learning to Play” DVD)
WFF ‘N PROOF: The Game of Modern Logic
ON-SETS: The Game of Set Theory
ON-WORDS: The Game of Word Structures
LinguiSHTIK: A Creative Language Game
QUERIES ‘N THEORIES: The Game of Science and Language
The PROPAGANDA Game
Complete 15-Item Thinker's Library
SAVE $87.00
Some solitaire items, most games for 2 or more playersAges: 6 through adults
$299.00
A complete library of thinking games and intellectual challenge. Regular retail price for this unique collection is $386. The library is available here at the special price of $299 – you save $87.00. Minds encountered by the master of this collection will never be the same.
EQUATIONS: The Game of Creative Mathematics (Deluxe version including “Learning to Play” DVD)
WFF ‘N PROOF: The Game of Modern Logic
ON-SETS: The Game of Set Theory
ON-WORDS: The Game of Word Structures
LinguiSHTIK: A Creative Language Game
QUERIES ‘N THEORIES: The Game of Science and Language
The PROPAGANDA Game
The REAL NUMBERS Game
The DIG MATH Computer Program
EQUATIONS Challenge Matches (Computer Software)
TRI NIM: The Game for Complete Strategists
CONFIGURATIONS: Number Puzzles for All Ages
TAC-TICKLE: A Challenging Game of Pure Strategy
The MEDITATION GAME
QUICK-SANE: An Intriguing Topological Puzzle
WFF `N PROOF: The Game of Modern Logic
by Layman E. Allen
For 2 or more playersAges: 6 through adults
$35.00
Hailed as “the granddaddy of educational games”, this is the original 1961 classic that teaches propositional logic and develops careful reasoning skills. Reviewers say WFF ‘N PROOF “has the complexity of chess and the excitement of poker”. It was the first resource allocation game – a format in which players explore diverse, creative ways of using fundamental concepts. WFF ‘N PROOF is a subtle sequence of twenty-one game levels with increasing challenge and sophistication. The beginning levels are speed games that can teach six-year olds how to recognize WFFs. (WFFs are Well Formed Formulas – expressions that are to symbolic logic what sentences are to English). Advanced games deal with the rules of inference, logical proof and the nature of formal systems, and will challenge intelligent adults.
Studies have shown that summer school classes playing WFF ‘N PROOF intensively for three weeks experienced an average increase in IQ scores of 21 points. The game dramatically improves problem-solving skills, higher order thinking, and abstract reasoning. For people who like to think, WFF 'N PROOF means fun for the whole family.
EQUATIONS: The Game of Creative Mathematics
by Layman E. Allen, University of Michigan
For 2 or more playersAges: 8 - adult
Deluxe Version (including "How to Play" DVD) $35.00
Basic Version (without DVD) $30.00
EQUATIONS, called “that peerless math game” by critics, was the first game adapted from the WFF ‘N PROOF resource allocation format in 1962. Forty years of research and testing have extended the range of this joyful learning tool to become the centerpiece of the Instructional Gaming Program in schools.
Studies have shown that classroom EQUATIONS tournaments can double math achievement and reduce absenteeism in urban schools by 2/3. Research demonstrates that EQUATIONS develops skills far beyond “drill and practice” computation. It cultures the critical problem-solving abilities needed to recognize and apply fundamental concepts.
At home, EQUATIONS lets the whole family share a quality learning experience and have fun too. People of all ages become fascinated by this game. It creates a rich problem-solving interaction filled with complex strategy, bluffing and intrigue. The basic game can be taught to eight-year olds using simple arithmetic. As players develop skill, the game becomes more sophisticated. It ultimately expands to concepts that will challenge any intelligent adult.
EQUATIONS explores a broad range of math topics including elementary arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponentiation and root operation as well as logarithms, fractions, decimals, percents, variables, algebra, functions and more.
Computer versions of EQUATIONS teach a wide range of curriculum topics in the context of the game (see the DIG MATH Program and EQUATIONS Challenge Matches below.) FREE Preview Copies of these programs can be downloaded from this site along with an Introduction to EQUATIONS program that teaches the game.
A NEW DVD called “How to Play EQUATIONS” is included in the deluxe version of the game (for only $5) and is highly recommended. This DVD is the easiest way to learn to play by following along with an actual teaching session in a sixth grade class. If you are new to these games, we suggest starting with the deluxe DVD version – the rules for EQUATIONS are similar to many other games in the series including: WFF ‘N PROOF, ON-SETS, ON-WORDS and LinguiSHTIK
The DIG MATH Program
by the University of Michigan Instructional Gaming Group
For one or more usersAges: 12 to adult
(complete program on one diskette) $49.00
In the DIG Math (Diagnostic Instructional Gaming) Program, a solitary user plays against the computer in carefully designed EQUATIONS matches. The machine plays as an expert teacher, making moves that lead users to discover and apply a specific math concept in each match. The program includes individualized diagnosis, lessons, and more than a thousand individual matches covering concepts from arithmetic through algebra. When used with classroom EQUATIONS tournaments or extended home play, the DIG Math Program offers an encyclopedic source for learning new strategies and advanced math concepts. It dramatically accelerates the mastery and spread of new ideas in any gaming group. DIG Math is a powerful demonstration of the tremendous range and depth of EQUATIONS as a teaching tool.
The program is offered in a DOS version that will run on any Windows-based PC. The graphics are simple (the original program was designed to fit in a 48K Apple II) however, DIG Math is a captivating example of the power of emphasizing substance over flash.
EQUATIONS Challenge Matches
(Computer Program)
by the University of Michigan Instructional Gaming Group
For 2 playersAges: 8 to adult
(one diskette with Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced and Multi-Level Matches) $49.00
The EQUATIONS Challenge Matches Program allows two or more users to play against each other with the computer coordinating the match as guide, gameboard, coach, referee, and tutor. Challenge Matches reveal the richness of EQUATIONS by showing users how a wide variety of concepts that can be applied in each match.
The program includes a solitaire “Research Mode” that allows a player to investigate the full range of the possible solutions in each match. The player conducts experiments, and by carefully analyzing the results, discovers clues to the identity of the resources used in the remaining unknown solutions. The “Research Mode” is an excellent simulation of scientific method used to deal with an evolving mathematical problem. It inspired the Math/Science Quest for Solutions program – an expanded, online tournament in which teams compete in solving “Research Mode” problems.
The EQUATIONS Challenge Matches Program comes on a single diskette arranged into four groups according to the content explored in the matches. Elementary Matches deal with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers (grades 3 – adults). Intermediate Matches use the arithmetic operations and some exponents with whole numbers, integers, fractions, decimals and percents (grades 6 – adults). Advanced Matches explore exponents, roots, and logarithms with whole numbers, integers, fractions and irrational numbers (grades 7 – adults). Multi-Level Matches contain material from all the above levels.
The program is delivered in a DOS version with simple graphics that will run on any Windows-based PC.
"Learning to Play EQUATIONS"
DVD or Video Tape Presentation
with special introduction by actor, Leslie Nielsen
Length 1 hour 35 minutesAges: 8 to adult
DVD $10.00
Video Tape $10.00
This video is the easiest way to learn to play EQUATIONS: The Game of Creative Mathematics. It is also a good introduction to the general game rules shared by all resource allocation games (WFF ‘N PROOF, ON-SETS, ON-WORDS, and LinguiSHTIK).The presentation captures a live training session between Layman G. Allen (son of the author) and a class of sixth grade students learning EQUATIONS for the first time. Follow along with the class – equally good for home use or teachers starting a new group.
Instructional Math Play (IMP) Kits
by Layman E. Allen, Joan Ross University of Michigan
For 1 playerAges: 8 to adult
for set of 21 Kits $30.00
Before the age of bits and bytes and the interminable joys of “technical support”, IMP kits provided the first simulated opponent for teaching math concepts through EQUATIONS in pamphlet form. Each of these 21 “kits” is an individual EQUATIONS match designed to teach one powerful concept dealing with the fundamental relationships between the arithmetic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, exponentiation, root operation). The pamphlet responds to all possible moves that the user can make in a manner that focuses the match on the targeted idea. IMP Kits are useful for home or class situations where computers are not always available.
ON-SETS: The Game of Set Theory
by Layman E. Allen, University of Michigan Peter Kugel, M.I.T. and Martin Owens, Mitre Corporation
2 or more playersAges: 6 to adult
$30.00
ON-SETS is an exciting and colorful resource allocation game that teaches set theory - the foundation of modern mathematics. Using game rules similar to EQUATIONS, players in ON-SETS explore the concepts of union, intersection, difference of sets, complement of a set, set identity, set inclusion and the null and universal sets. ON-SETS captures the same creative problem-solving and strategic intrigue as EQUATIONS and WFF ‘N PROOF. The basic game can be taught to six-year olds. As players develop skill, it becomes more sophisticated and ultimately expands to levels that will challenge intelligent adults. The complete set involves thirty different game levels. The whole family will enjoy exploring this fascinating approach to learning the fundamental ideas behind all mathematics.
CONFIGURATIONS: Number Puzzles for all Ages
by Professor Harold L. Dorwart, Chairman Mathematics Department , Trinity College
For a Solitary PlayerAges: 12 to adult
$25.00
CONFIGURATIONS is a series of geometric puzzles based on Harold L. Dorwart’s book, “The Geometry of Incidence”. Mr. Dorwart was the Seabury Professor and Chairman of the Mathematics Department at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. One reviewer declared: “Professor Dorwart employs his high competence as a mathematician and as a teacher to guide the willing and diligent traveler along a simple yet elegant road through geometric country that is rich in rewards of beauty, excitement, surprise, amusement, delight, and illumination.” It is the perfect gift for those who a intrigued by solitaire games involving careful reasoning.
PROBADDILITY
by Robert W. Allen and Charles B. Horne
For 2 to 3 playersAges: 8 to adult
$2.50
Probaddility is an engaging card game dealing with probability and simple addition. Players make educated bets about the likely numbers hidden under opponents cards and win or lose cards depending on the accuracy of their predictions. A fun and engaging introduction to these basic concepts.
REAL NUMBERS
by Layman E. Allen
For 2 PlayersAges: 6 - adults
$3.50
The REAL NUMBERS game was designed as a prelude to EQUATIONS. It comes in a handy 5-game kit that can be clipped to a pen in your shirt pocket. The REAL NUMBERS Game provides a practical introduction to the process of finding Solutions from randomly generated symbols similar to what occurs in EQUATIONS. The REAL NUMBERS Game deals with real, rational, irrational, integer, and natural numbers.
WFF: The Beginners Game of Modern Logic
by Layman E. Allen
For 2 playersAges: 6 through adult
$3.50
WFF includes the first two games from the complete WFF ‘N PROOF series. Two engaging speed games allow players to learn to recognize WFF’s (Well Formed Formulas) in symbolic logic. Both Shake-a-WFF and Count-a-WFF are fast-paced, exciting games dealing with a unique symbolic system. They are an appealing exercise for all ages.
Video Professional Development Course
The Instructional Gaming Program for math teachers
by Layman G. Allen
Set of 4 DVDs $295.00
The Video Professional Development Course is a complete guide to using EQUATIONS classroom tournaments as a regular part of the curriculum. The course includes a detailed introduction to the philosophy, materials and methods for conducting classroom tournaments and the advanced scoring systems, game rules and software used to focus on specific curriculum objectives from elementary arithmetic through algebra. The presentation captures an actual live professional development program conducted with sixth grade teachers and district mathematics coordinators. This excellent and comprehensive course also includes detailed written outlines of all lectures as well as master copies for all forms, tournament seating charts, score sheets, student newsletters, advanced scoring charts and rules descriptions. A complete curriculum package for one of the most innovative and effective approaches to teaching mathematics ever developed.
EQUATIONS Classroom Set
SAVE $61 for set of 12 EQUATIONS Games in a compact Classroom Set.
For up to 36 studentsAges: 8 through adult
$299.00
Everything fits in a sturdy 12" x 9" x 5" box -- compact and convenient. Save $61 off the regular retail price for 12 EQUATIONS games - a 17% discount plus all the added teaching materials.
LinguiSHTIK: A Creative Language Game
by Robert W. Allen, Director National Academic Games Project
For 2 or more playersAges: 6 to adult
$30.00
LinguiSHTIK is a multi-faceted resource allocation game focused on words, grammar and sentence structure. Players delve deeply into spelling, vocabulary, word functions, modern and traditional grammar, and the patterns and structure of sentences. Like other resource allocation games, LinguiSHITK can be played at many levels of sophistication from young children to intelligent adults. The complexity of the game is determined by the players, and graduates to the adventurous level in which players design new rules in each exciting and intriguing match.
ON-WORDS: The Game of Word Structures
by Layman E. Allen, Frederick L. Goodman, Doris Humphrey and Joan K Ross
(all associated with the University of Michigan)
For 2 or more playersAges: 6 to adult
$30.00
ON-WORDS has many exciting game levels and covers a broad spectrum of sophistication from teaching spelling to elementary school children up to levels that will challenge a linguistic specialist or connoisseur of word puzzles. The basic game level reinforces spelling and vocabulary, and sharpens perception of unusual combinations of letters in written English. It increases discrimination of both the regularities and inconsistencies in English spelling. In advanced game levels, players explore evolving problems based on networks of intersecting words as in crosswords puzzles. In Adventurous ON-WORDS, the word network problems can include further constraints such as grammar, phonetics, derivations, inflections or virtually any aspect of words a player can imagine.
ON-WORDS gives players a powerful motivation to delve deeply into the structure, meanings, and history of words as well as spelling and its ingredients.. ON-WORDS uses the same resource allocation game format found in EQUATIONS, WFF ‘N PROOF, ON-SETS and LinguiSHTIK, so players who know any of these other games can easily pick up ON-WORDS and let their imagination fly.
QUERIES ‘N THEORIES: The Game of Science and Language
by Layman E. Allen, University of Michigan; Peter Kugel, M.I.T. and Joan Ross, University of Michigan
For 2 or more playersAges: 12 to adult
$35.00
The ultimate scientific code breaking game, QUERIES ‘N THEORIES teaches players the intricacies of designing and decoding complex transformational languages by using the power of careful reasoning. The game starts when one player, the “native”, designs a secret coded language. Languages are defined by basic expressions – sequences of colored chips called “basic sentences”, and by transformational rules which allow certain sequences of chips to be replaced by others to create new expressions in the language. The job of the other players in the game, the “theorists”, is to try to decipher the pattern of the secret language by asking the native a series of “queries”. A query is a proposed sample expression. The native must confirm whether a proposed query expression can be created by the rules of the secret language or not. Careful analysis of the answers to these queries allows the theorists to design critical tests that will provide maximum information by eliminating competing possibilities for the rules of the secret language. The theorist who can correctly predict the behavior of the native’s language wins.
QUERIES ‘N THEORIES is a powerful simulation of the kind of scientific reasoning used to probe the laws of nature. It develops the crucial skill of recognizing the right question to ask based on organizing, analyzing and synthesizing the patterns of known facts. Beginning games that use only a few basic sentences and rules and can be enjoyed by children. The advanced games in this 13-level series are marathons of challenging intellectual twists and turns that will keep intelligent adults fascinated for hours.
THE PROPAGANDA GAME
by Robert W. Allen, Director, National Academic Games Project and Lorne Green, Actor
For 2 or more playersAges: 11 through adults
$30.00
The PROPAGANDA GAME: the hilarious but effective antidote for the daily barrage from advertising, public relations, politics and the mass media – all seeking to manipulate our attitudes and behavior. Inoculate yourself, your family and students by learning to identify the many blatant and subtle persuasion techniques used by professionals. Soon you’ll be seeing them everywhere and, in the process, learn to stand firmly outside their insidious grip.
PROPAGANDA is a delightful, highly social game in which players first learn to identify techniques such as: prejudice, casual oversimplification, faulty analogy, tabloid and wishful thinking, hasty generalization, attacking a straw man, appeals to ignorance, emotion, flattery, pity, prestige, folksiness, joining the bandwagon and many, many more. Once players become adept at identifying the techniques exemplified in the humorous examples provided with the game, they graduate to the “expert” level where they gather and create their own examples from the real world or their imagination. The PROPAGANDA GAME is a truly wonderful experience in which “who is right” is ultimately less important than the power of your arguments and the assessment of how convinced your fellow players are. Based on the book “Thinking Straighter” by George Henry Moulds, The PROPAGANDA GAME strikes a joyful blow for clearer social thinking.
THE MEDITATION GAME
by Layman E. Allen
For 2 Players or TeamsAges: 6 through adult
$2.50
THE MEDITATION GAME offers a delightful excursion into the realm of pure strategy. Though simple in design, the game is rich in creative possibilities and subtle surprises. The colorful playing mat and 49 playing rings are used by two players or teams in the pursuit of “Spontaneous Right Action”. Clear, coherent and comprehensive thought is required for success. THE MEDITATION GAME offers people of all ages a refreshing opportunity to experience a gentle, mental massage. The game comes in a polyethylene mailing envelope with an address label that can be sent as a gift to friends by adding a single first-class postage stamp.
TAC-TICKLE: A Challenging Game of Pure Strategy
by Professor Harry D. Ruderman, Chairman, Mathematics Department, Hunter College High School
For 2 playersAges: 5 to adult
$3.50
TAC-TICKLE is a sixteen-game kit that is as simple to learn as tic-tac-toe. The surface similarity ends quickly as learners discover the subtle and intricate sophistication of this deceptive little gem. TAC-TICKLE has been a favorite of computer programmers exploring the profound mathematical theory involved in adapting it to computerized play. The pocket-sized kit consists of a pair of playing boards, cubes and directions. Cubes fit into a molded foam playing board that holds loose pieces tightly making it an ideal traveling game for children and adults.
TRI-NIM: The Game For Complete Strategists
by Dr. Hervey C. Hicks, (Need College) and Dr. Bruce L. Hicks, University of Illinois
2 or 3 PlayersAges: 6 to adult
$25.00
TRI-NIM is the co-creation of two brilliant brothers with a life-long fascination for exploring the mathematical and strategic implications of Nim games. Professor Hervey Hicks, a mathematics professor until his death in 1944, spent decades playing, inventing, and analyzing mathematical games. He and his brother, Bruce Hicks, an applied physicist and digital computer specialist, collaborated to produce TRI-NIM. It is a quick moving game with extremely challenging and subtle strategy. It is played on a triangular board with varied numbers of colored counters depending on the complexity desired. Players move counters from the center zero spaces to spaces with higher numerical values and ultimately off the board into a goal. Points are scored by controlling a corner of the board by the moves made. Pondering TRI-NIM with stretch you, whoever you are. It is the ultimate game for strategists.
QUIK-SANE: An Intriguing Topological Puzzle
by James R. O'Neil
For 1 playerAges: 8 through adults
$3.50
QUIK-SANE is a topological puzzle that will challenge and delight people devoted to solitaire games calling for careful reasoning. It is simple in both design and theme, yet calls for concentrated effort to achieve the precise objective. Almost anyone willing to apply careful attention and patience will be able to “work” this puzzle, but solving the problem in the specified manner required is a genuine challenge. QUIK-SANE was developed by James R. O’Neil, a retiree from the U.S. Treasure Department, after 39 years of government service. Throughout his working years, Mr. O’Neil pursued an avocation of inventing toys and games for which he holds several patents.
The Geometry of Incidence
by Professor Harold L. Dorwart, Trinity College
Book for single readerAges: 14 through adults
$10.00
The Geometry of Incidence was written to inspire interest in projective geometry. It focuses in detail on certain fundamental concepts and theorems and their historical perspective. This unique book will invoke a desire for greater knowledge of an intriguing subject and was the inspiration for the CONFIGURATIONS game.