If understanding math is hard for some middle schoolers, staying motivated to master basic concepts and learn advanced ones can be challenging. Luckily, there are many apps to help students conquer the math beast and have fun doing it.

These apps are specifically designed to help middle school students strengthen their math skills.

Dragon Box

Dragon Box claims to be able to “secretly” teach your kids algebra, and it does a pretty good job. Designed with a learner-centered approach, Dragon Box was voted the World’s Best Serious Game at the 2012 International Mobile Gaming Awards. Using Dragon Box, 83 percent of kids learn the basics of algebra in merely one hour.

Edupad

Edupad’s sixth grade math app offers a host of different, grade-appropriate lessons and exercises to teach kids operations, data analysis, algebraic structures, and geometry. Students will find plenty here to challenge their minds and sharpen their skills. The app was designed specifically by sixth grade math teachers and has a 4.5 star rating on the iTunes App Store.

HoodaMath

HoodaMath offers a vast array of games by grade level and topic. Students can choose a category to play, from logic games like Goat Crossing and Simple Squares to geometry games likes Basket Balls and Rotate Roll. Kids can also select games according to math skills: addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc.

MayaNumbers

This app accomplishes two goals simultaneously: teaching math and offering a little Mayan history. Designed by archaeologist and former-middle school teacher Suzi Wilczynski, MayaNumbers requires students to stretch their thinking by adjusting to the Mayan numbering system, which is based on sets of 20 instead of the Western sets of 10.

Monkey in the Middle Math – 7th Grade

This entertaining game is the 2013 winner of the Best Educational App Award from Balefire Labs. Aligned to Common Core standards, it allows students to practice a variety of concepts, such as negative numbers, absolute value, and order of operations. Kids can compete against friends and track achievements.

Operation Math Code Squad

Math Code Squad offers a multi-player mode for up to four players. Students take on roles as secret agents who must foil Dr. Odd, an evil genius hoping to rid the world of … wait for it … math. Designed with multiple settings (easy, medium, difficult), levels become progressively more challenging as students advance.