Simple daily 11 plus maths word problem exercises: Spiegel
1 November 2026
Daily Spiegel questions for 11 plus maths
Practising daily word problems helps children build strong reasoning skills for the 11+ exam. Spiegel (mirror) questions are a simple way to encourage flexible thinking and boost confidence.
What are Spiegel (mirror) questions
A Spiegel or mirror question asks your child to compare two ways of doing the same calculation, or to check if the order of operations changes the answer. These questions support logical thinking and help children spot patterns.
Worked example: a simple mirror question
Imagine a number. When you add 5 to it and then subtract 3, you get the same result as when you subtract 3 first and then add 5. What is the number?
Step 1: Write down both operations
Let's call the number x.
First way: (x + 5) - 3 Second way: (x - 3) + 5
Step 2: Simplify both expressions
(x + 5) - 3 = x + 2 (x - 3) + 5 = x + 2
Step 3: Compare the results
Both ways give x + 2, no matter what number x is. So the answer is that it works for any number.
Encourage daily practice
Try a short Spiegel question like this each day. It only takes a few minutes and helps your child become more confident with reasoning and word problems.
Key insight: Daily short mirror questions help children develop flexible, logical thinking, which is essential for 11+ maths success.
