Using AI to Create Mathematics Practice Questions
Many AI applications can generate banks of mathematics practice questions. Success depends largely on how specific your prompts are.
Tip: Anchor your prompt to the curriculum, grade, topic, skill focus, and any question structures
you want (e.g., change unknown / start unknown / result unknown, equivalence in different positions).
Example: A precise prompt to ChatGPT
- BC Mathematics Curriculum 2016
- Grade 4
- Computational Fluency
- Multiplication
- Three-digit by one-digit
- Include practice that uses change unknown, start unknown, and result unknown types, and equations with the equivalence symbol in different positions
Example output
Result Unknown
4 × 123 = ______ = 7 × 1056 × 214 = ______ = 8 × 1035 × 132 = ___
Change Unknown
3 × ___ = 357___ × 5 = 6407 × ___ = 511___ × 9 = 7746 × ___ = 432
Start Unknown
___ × 4 = 516___ × 3 = 267___ × 6 = 402___ × 7 = 560
Extra Challenge: Mixed Equation Positions
3 × 215 = ______ = 4 × 1349 × ___ = 711___ = ___ × 7 = 336864 = ___ × ___
In question 20, students are encouraged to find any valid multiplication equation using a one-digit and a three-digit number to produce 864.
Choosing an AI tool
General-purpose tools: ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot
Education-focused tools: MagicSchool, SchoolAI
Education platforms often include extras like choice boards and word problems templates, alongside item banks.
Prompting checklist
- Curriculum & grade: e.g., “BC Mathematics Curriculum 2016, Grade 4.”
- Big idea / topic: Computational fluency, multiplication.
- Skill constraints: Three-digit × one-digit; mental strategies vs. written methods.
- Question structures: Change/Start/Result unknown; equivalence in varied positions.
- Differentiation: Ask for number sets at multiple access levels.
- Output format: Group by type + mixed practice; return as numbered lists.
