Rules
Formula Pyramid is a buzzer race built on mental arithmetic. Ten tiles form a pyramid, each holding an operator and a number, and you have to find three tiles that make the round’s target.
The board
The pyramid has 10 tiles in rows of 1, 2, 3 and 4, labelled A to J. Each tile shows an operator and a number, such as +3, −7, ×5 or ÷2. The tiles are revealed first, and the target number follows shortly after.
Making the target
- Choose three different tiles in order. No tile can be used twice in one answer.
- Ignore the operator on the first tile. It only supplies its number.
- Work out the result with normal maths order: × and ÷ before + and −.
For example, with A = ×4, B = +3 and C = −2:
- A, B, C gives 4 + 3 − 2 = 5.
- B, A, C gives 3 × 4 − 2 = 10.
Same tiles, different order, different answer.
Answering
Press the buzzer, then say the three letters within 10 seconds. A correct answer scores +1. A wrong answer, no answer in time, or an answer someone already gave scores −1. While one player holds the buzzer, nobody else can buzz.
End of a round and the game
A round ends after 3 minutes, or as soon as every valid answer has been found. On the show, the higher score after 10 rounds wins.
Our version
Shared rules
- A is the top of the pyramid; the rows below are B and C, then D to F, then G to J.
- Numbers on tiles run from 1 to 9 and no two tiles are the same.
- Every division must come out exact. If any step of the formula would leave a fraction, the answer is wrong. The show never said either way.
- Equal-rank operators are worked left to right, so 8 ÷ 2 × 3 is 12.
- Every target is a whole number from 1 to 99 with between 2 and 10 answers.
- The number of answers is public. You always see “Found 3 of 7”, so you know when a round can still pay.
Solo (Daily and Practice)
- One pyramid, 3 minutes. A new answer scores +1; a wrong or repeated one scores −1.
- Find every answer before the clock runs out to clear the board. Your score is your result either way.
- The Daily pyramid is the same for everyone each day. Practice can be raced online on the same pyramid.
Vs AI and online rooms (buzzer race)
- 2 to 4 players. Against the AI it is you and one opponent; online rooms take up to 4, with AI players filling empty seats if the host wants.
- Each round shows the tiles for 3 seconds, then the target, then a 3-minute clock starts.
- Tap a tile (or press Buzz, or Space) to take the buzzer, then pick three tiles within 10 seconds.
- A match is 5 rounds by default, or 10 like the show.
- Tie: the tied leaders play one sudden-death round. The first correct answer wins it; wrong answers still cost a point. If nobody scores before the round ends and it is still tied, the game is a draw.
- The AI solves the same public board. Its difficulty is how fast it spots an answer and how often it says the wrong letters.
Keyboard: type A to J to pick tiles, Backspace to undo a pick, Escape to clear (solo).
Strategy
Start from the target. Look at the target and ask which multiplication gets close to it. Products usually do the heavy lifting, and the + or − tile fixes the rest.
Remember the free first slot. The first tile’s operator does not count, so a tile like ×6 or ÷6 can be used as a plain 6 when it comes first. Many players forget this.
Try every order. Once you find three tiles that work, check the other orders of the same tiles. A + B × C and C + B × A often both work, and each valid order is a separate point.
Mind the maths order. In B, A, C above, the multiplication happens first. Reading left to right by mistake is the easiest way to lose a point.
Watch the count. When you have found 6 of 7, the last answer is worth hunting for. In a duel, the player who finds it also ends the round.
Only buzz when sure. A wrong answer costs as much as a right one earns, and the 10 seconds go quickly. Have all three letters ready before you press.