Start with a number, end with 1. That is the goal in Factors Game unblocked, a compact math puzzle by Michael P. Nitowski. Each level drops your number through four rows of tiles, and every tile you land on either divides it or grows it.
Levels take seconds, but the choices are sneaky. The best first move is often not the one that shrinks your number the most.
How to play Factors Game
Your number sits above a 4x4 grid holding the values 1 to 16. Slide it sideways to choose a column, then let it fall one row. If the tile below is a factor of your number, you divide by it. If not, the tile is added on.
You get one move per row, so four moves at most. Hitting 1 ends the level right away with an ACE grade. Finishing under 10 rates LOW, and anything higher rates High.
There are 256 levels, and the starting number matches the level number, so later puzzles begin with big values. A running average of your end numbers sits at the top. Lower is better, and your best result on each level is kept.
Controls
| To… | Keyboard | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move your number left or right | Left / Right arrows, A / D, or H / L | Drag left or right on the board | Swipe left or right |
| Drop into the row below | Down arrow, S, or J | Drag downward | Swipe down |
| Restart the level (or open level select before your first move) | Up arrow, W, or K | Drag upward | Swipe up |
| Retry or go to the next level after a result | Left to retry, Right for next, Up for level select | Click "< RETRY" or "NEXT >" | Tap "< RETRY" or "NEXT >" |
| Open level select during play | — | Click "[Select]" at the top right | Tap "[Select]" at the top right |
Tips
- Plan from the bottom up. Look at the last row first and ask which numbers could become 1 there. Then work backward to the move you need now.
- Use addition on purpose. Landing on a non-factor is not always bad. Adding 3 to 9 makes 12, which has many more factors to work with.
- Treat the 1 tile as a pass. One divides every number, so landing on it leaves your value unchanged and spends a row without harm.
- Watch for primes. If your number becomes a prime, only that same prime or 1 can divide it, so check whether the right tile is still ahead.
- Replay for a better average. Returning to an old level and finishing lower improves your overall score.
Factors Game questions
Do I have to reach 1 to unlock the next level?
No. Finishing a level opens the next one no matter what number you end on. Reaching 1 just earns the best grade.
Is my progress saved?
Yes. Your results and unlocked levels are stored in your browser, so you can pick up later on the same device.
Can I play with a mouse or on a phone?
Yes. Swipe or drag left and right to move, and down to drop. Arrow keys and WASD also work on a keyboard.
