An apparatus for mathematical games and activities to provide both entertainment and skill development based on a rectangular grid based optimization area with an odd number of elements in each row and column. The essential elements forming the rows and columns are numerical function symbols, including but not limited to +, -, *, and /, alternating both vertically in the columns and horizontally in the rows with locations for placement of numerical values. The optimization area is arranged such that numerical value locations do not occur in the corners and function symbol locations on the outer perimeter are left blank. Additional locations may be provided for placement of parentheses. A predefined set of numerical values is provided for placement onto the optimization area. A finite set of parenthesis pairs may be included. Placement of the numerical values and optional parentheses is done with the objective of maximizing the optimization area value.