Rules
Electronic Brain opened the first day of University War. Every player got the same ten three-digit numbers on a screen and had to add them up in their head. Talking about the sum was not allowed. The first player from each school to enter the right total became that school’s ace for the day’s main match.
Our version
- You get ten numbers from 100 to 999. Add them all up and type the total.
- Your score is your time, from the first look at the sheet to the right total.
- A wrong total adds 10 seconds. The box clears and you try again.
- You can tap a number to tick it off once you have added it. Ticks only mark your place.
- You can give up and see the total.
- The Daily sheet is the same for everyone each day. Free play sheets can be raced against friends in an online room.
Strategy
Hundreds, then tens, then ones. Add 400 before 28 when you add 428. Big parts first keeps the running total easy to hold.
Round and fix. 298 is 300 minus 2, 591 is 600 minus 9. Add the round number and take the small difference off.
Pair to round numbers. Look for pairs whose last digits make 10, such as 428 and 972 (1400). Adding pairs that land on round numbers saves steps.
Check by columns. Before you submit, add just the ones digits and see whether the last digit of your total matches. It catches most slips in a few seconds.