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MATHEMATICS
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Empowering Math
Operations through
DaMath
Dama + Mathematics = DaMath
What Is Damath?
Damath is a two-player board game used
to teach basic mathematical operations to
students. “Damath” comes from the
words “dama” (which is the Filipino
version of the board game checkers) and
“mathematics.” It is a game of strategy,
logic, and Math. It helps students master
basic mathematical skills and enhances
their mental math skills.
To play Damath, you need 24 chips with
numbers or mathematical expressions
(e.g., fractions, radicals, polynomials,
etc.) written on them. You’re going to
place these chips on the Damath board
that consists of 64 black and white
squares. Each white square has its
corresponding mathematical operation.
To win the game, one must get the
highest score by capturing the opponent’s
chips.
juniors are playing integer DaMath
October 2022 |Issue 1
A Brief History of Damath
Invented in the province of Sorsogon, Philippines in 1975
by Jesus L. Huenda. The popularity of Damath extended
beyond the Philippines. In 2011, the game reached the
United States as Reynaldo Duran introduced the game at a
Regional Conference and Exposition of the National
Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) in
Albuquerque in New Mexico.
Variations of Damath
There are different ways to play Damath, but its main
rules and guidelines remain the same. The only different
thing is the numbers written on the chips.
Counting Damath
– the chips are numbered from 1 to 12
Whole Damath
– the chips are numbered from 0 to 11
Fraction Damath
– the chips are numbered from 1/10 to 12/10
Integer Damath
– the chips are 0,-1,2,-3,4,-5,6,-7,8,-9,10,-11
Rational Damath
– the chips are numbered the same way as in the fraction
Damath, but even numerators are positive while odd
numerators are negative
Radical Damath
– the chips are numbered with specific quantities
involving square roots
Polynomial Damath
– the chips are numbered with specific algebraic
expressions
https://filipiknow.net/damath-board/#what-is-damath