The goal is simple - get the highest number  in the "Grind Deck". This will be recorded as your score.

After selecting your difficulty level, here's how the game works:

1. Click on any number card to be your starting value. These are blue (positive) and purple (negative).

2. Select any red (operation) or green (function) cards. These change the value of your Grind Deck according to the mathematical symbol on the card. Some cards require a second number card to be played.

3. The cards you just played are automatically discarded and new ones are automatically drawn for you.

4. Continue, and get the Top Sum! Try different techniques, cards and strategies!

DIFFICULTY LEVELS:

Level 1 - Basic

Designed for young learners, the game deck in this mode features number cards with numerals from 0 to 9, and 4 types of operation cards corresponding to the four arithmetic operations in maths: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. There are no negative numbers or decimals found in this game mode. Division always returns the quotient.

Level 2 - Fractions

One big difference between Level 2 and Level 1 is that in Level 2, the Grind Deck can now take on decimal and negative values. That means that division returns the decimal value rather than the quotient. Cards for some mathemtical constants like pi and e are added to the deck. Soon, new number cards with simple fractions will be added to the deck.

Level 3 - Negative Numbers

In Level 3, purple cards with negative numbers are added to the deck! This unlocks many new gameplay options and strategies. For example, subtracting negative numbers increase the grind deck value. Try and discover the rest for yourself!

Level 4 - Functions

This mode is for players with more experience in mathematics and familiarity with common functions like the use of indices and roots, trigonometric functions, reciprocals, modulus, Pythagoras' Theorem... there is an ever-expanding suite of green Function cards that are added to the deck which unlock loads of new gameplay challenges!

COMMON Q&A

When does the game end?

For now, it doesn't! TOP SUM's launch is an infinite sandbox - the deck is infinite and players get to explore just how big a number they can make. In the future, specific milestones like actual scores will be added. The challenge would then be reaching that score in the least number of moves.

I've run out of addition and multiplication cards, I only have division and subtraction cards left. What do I do?

This isn't a mistake! These situations are meant to happen. Your goal is to see what number you divide or subtract by so that your Grind Deck reduces by the smallest amount! For example, try subtracting 0 or 1, or dividing by 1 or 2. When you use up these arithmetic cards, newer ones will be replenished, and hopefully you get some addition and multiplication this time! But that's just part of the fun.

The function cards I have in my hand only reduce my Grind Deck value.

Well... too bad. You just have to choose the function that reduces your Grind Deck the least. For example, play the square root rather than the cube root card. And the reciprocal card isn't always bad - if you have a number between 0 and 1, well the reciprocal makes it massive!

What happens if I make my Grind Deck value really negative? Does that count as a new highscore?

You're getting somewhere! This is certainly an interesting strategy, but the only way to make it count is by making your number positive again! Consider multiplying or dividing by a negative number, or if you're lucky, use the mod card!