24® Game History

In 1988, successful inventor Robert Sun embarked on a journey to teach children the relationship between numbers through a game. The result of his efforts was the 24® game, a unique mathematics teaching tool that has proven to successfully engage students in grades 1 through 9 from diverse economic and social backgrounds. “I wanted to demonstrate that mathematics can be powerful, engaging and most of all, fun,” says Sun. “Knowing the answer is always 24 alleviates a classic brand of math anxiety—getting the right answer—and instead puts the emphasis on the process and patterns, what I like to call ‘the method behind the math.’ ”

The original, Single Digits 24® game has evolved into nine editions and ancillary products that educators, parents and children have embraced. During the past 16 years, Sun has seen his creation used in over 500,000 classrooms throughout the United States and abroad. These innovative tools are helping to create a new generation of students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers.

Suntex International Inc., the company Robert Sun founded, has become an organization committed to furthering mathematics education. “Our goal is to use the innovative 24® game as a tool to make math appealing, accessible and fun—thereby helping students to excel in math, science and related fields,” Sun explains.

As a logical step toward that goal, Suntex created 24 Challenge® Math Program competitions—or “tournaments” as they came to be known—based on the 24® game. Tournaments activate entire communities and involve parents and families in the goal to raise mathematics achievement among students.

Two supplements to math curricula have also been extremely successful: the 24® Game Mathematics Club, designed for after/summer school programs; and the First In Math® Online Mathematics Program.

Always at the forefront of mathematics education, Suntex introduced the First In Math® Online Team concept in 2002. Students play the 24® game online and improve their math fluency with this easy-to-implement program. The “team” approach is a great way to get children excited about math. More than just a “fun” activity, First In Math® offers substantive content that supports any curriculum. Eight Skill Set® groups offer a full range of challenge and tie into National and State standards. Students WANT to spend time solving problems from one-step addition to multi-step algebra—the great array of games presented, appealing graphics and various modes of play hold children’s attention. The First In Math® site is safe, user-friendly, and shares the sophistication of computer games kids are used to playing at home. When students are on the First In Math® site they are practicing, honing skills and fully involved in the Achievement Process.