Xmas, Easter, Summer task creating real working credit card numbers using Luhn's algorithm

Great easy to follow worksheet that will keep any student engaged!

Using Luhn’s algorithm you can visually see how to apply this to check the validity of credit card numbers. I set up the table so that students can input a 16 digit number and follow the simple process to check if their number works.

I start with a worked example and then I have two sides of blanks for students to use. This is a great lesson for Xmas, Easter or Summer break last lesson if you are looking for a lesson that will make you infamous among students.

• I personally run the lesson by displaying the worked example on the board
• Then talking through it and letting them try a few times with their own made up numbers
• I then go online and find the starting numbers for different companies who issue cards to focus the students efforts which usually gets a buzz in the room
• Then I ask students how they can tweak numbers in the card easily to make theirs work.

Students then often ask if I spent time ‘inside’ for credit card fraud and if that’s why I’m a maths teacher.

I use the last 5-10 minutes talking about what skills we used and how maths fits into a so many wider topics. I also like to speak about ISBN numbers etc…