Find the Secret Number - Math Games - Subtraction Worksheets - Free Printable

Let's solve the puzzle step by step.

We are given a 2x2 grid of numbers:

```
4 2
3 6
```

And three clues:

a) It's not 8-4
b) It's not 6-3
c) It's not 5-3

We need to figure out what the "secret number" is, based on these clues.

---

Step 1: Understand the clues

Each clue is in the form "It's not [number]-[number]", which likely means that the secret number is not the result of subtracting the second number from the first.

So let's evaluate each:

- a) It's not 8-4 → 8 - 4 = 4 → So the secret number is not 4
- b) It's not 6-3 → 6 - 3 = 3 → So the secret number is not 3
- c) It's not 5-3 → 5 - 3 = 2 → So the secret number is not 2

So far, we know:
- Not 4
- Not 3
- Not 2

That leaves only one possibility: 6

But wait — is 6 even in the grid? Yes! The bottom-right number is 6.

Now, check if 6 could be the secret number. But the clues say it's not 4, 3, or 2 — so 6 is allowed.

But is there more?

Wait — perhaps the "secret number" is not one of the numbers in the grid, but rather derived from them?

Alternatively, maybe the "secret number" is a difference between two numbers in the grid?

Let’s consider that possibility.

Look at the grid:

```
4 2
3 6
```

Possible differences (subtractions):

- 4 - 2 = 2
- 4 - 3 = 1
- 4 - 6 = -2
- 2 - 3 = -1
- 2 - 6 = -4
- 3 - 6 = -3

Also:
- 6 - 4 = 2
- 6 - 3 = 3
- 6 - 2 = 4

But the clues say:
- Not 8-4 = 4 → so not 4
- Not 6-3 = 3 → so not 3
- Not 5-3 = 2 → so not 2

So again, the secret number is not 4, not 3, not 2

But now, maybe the secret number is a sum, or another operation?

Wait — look at the clues again. They are phrased as “It’s not 8-4”, etc. That suggests the result of those subtractions is not the secret number.

So the secret number ≠ 4, ≠ 3, ≠ 2

So possible values: 1, 5, 6, 7, ... but we’re probably limited to numbers in the grid or simple operations.

But the only number in the grid not excluded is 6.

Wait — is 6 in the grid? Yes.

Is 6 equal to any of the forbidden results? No.

So maybe the secret number is 6?

But let’s think differently.

Maybe the “secret number” is the missing number in a pattern?

Let’s look at the grid:

```
4 2
3 6
```

Is there a pattern?

Let’s see:

- Top row: 4 and 2 → difference = 2
- Bottom row: 3 and 6 → difference = 3

Not helpful.

Column-wise:

- Left column: 4 and 3 → difference = 1
- Right column: 2 and 6 → difference = 4

Still nothing.

What if we consider sums?

- 4 + 2 = 6
- 3 + 6 = 9
- 4 + 3 = 7
- 2 + 6 = 8

Hmm.

Wait — notice that 6 appears in the grid, and also 6 is the sum of 4 and 2.

So maybe the secret number is 6, because 4 + 2 = 6?

But the clues are about subtraction.

Wait — the clues are saying it's not 8-4=4, not 6-3=3, not 5-3=2.

So secret number ≠ 4, ≠ 3, ≠ 2.

So the only remaining number in the grid is 6.

But is 6 actually the answer?

Wait — perhaps the secret number is not in the grid, but is a result of an operation.

But we are told: “I know the number! It’s _______”

And the clues eliminate 4, 3, and 2.

So the secret number must be something else.

Wait — what if the secret number is 1?

Because 4 - 3 = 1, or 2 - 1 = 1? But 1 isn’t in the grid.

But we don’t have any clue saying it’s not 1.

But why would it be 1?

Alternatively, think about the positions.

Another idea: Maybe the “secret number” is the value in the center of a larger pattern, but we only have four numbers.

Wait — perhaps the puzzle is about which number is missing from a sequence?

But no sequence is apparent.

Wait — here’s a different idea.

The clues say:

a) It’s not 8-4 → 4 → so not 4

b) It’s not 6-3 → 3 → so not 3

c) It’s not 5-3 → 2 → so not 2

So the secret number is not 4, not 3, not 2

Therefore, the only number left in the grid is 6

So the secret number must be 6

But is that consistent?

Yes — 6 is not 4, not 3, not 2 — so it satisfies all clues.

Moreover, 6 is present in the grid.

Could it be that the secret number is 6, and the wizard is just eliminating distractors?

Yes — that makes sense.

But let’s double-check: is there any other number that fits?

Suppose the secret number is 1 — but we have no information about it, and it’s not in the grid.

Or 5 — not in the grid.

Only numbers in the grid are 4, 2, 3, 6.

We’ve eliminated 4, 3, 2 → only 6 remains.

Therefore, the secret number must be 6.

But wait — the question is: “Math Wizard, what’s your secret number?”

And then the clues say it’s not certain values.

So the logic is:

- It's not 4
- It's not 3
- It's not 2

Therefore, it must be 6

Even though 6 is not mentioned in the clues, it's the only option left.

So the answer is:

> I know the number! It's 6

✔ Final Answer: 6

---

Explanation:

The clues eliminate three numbers:

- "It's not 8-4" → 8-4=4 → so not 4
- "It's not 6-3" → 6-3=3 → so not 3
- "It's not 5-3" → 5-3=2 → so not 2

The only number left in the grid is 6, so the secret number must be 6.

Answer: 6 ✔