Thanks to Dan Bystrom for permission to use his custom control DBPush. Contact him by email at: dan.bystrom@adb-partner.it-invest.se
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Features
½ Counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and in the registered version, division, fractions, decimals and percentages as well.
½ A wide range of difficulty levels.
½ Highly motivating game format.
½ Work is timed to encourage quick thinking (3 speeds available).
½ Entertaining graphics and sounds.
½ Built in tutorials.
½ Two bonus games.
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System Requirements
Any computer running Windows 3.1/3.11 or Windows 95 or above.
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Running the Program
Simply double click on Ray's Numbers Game icon to begin, and follow on-screen instructions. Choose 'help' for further information.
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Skill Levels
Immediately you run the program you are given the option of 3 skill levels: Lower, Intermediate and Higher (regsistered version only).
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Lower Level
At the Lower Level, you can choose 'counting', 'simple addition' or 'simple subtraction'. At this level only, the answers are spoken out loud.
Counting: This option teaches children to count with the aid of pictures. The highest number to count can be set anywhere in the range 3-14.
Simple Adition: Teaches children to add with the aid of pictures. The highest number to add can be in the range 3-7.
Simple Subtraction: Teaches children to subtract with the aid of pictures. The highest number to subtract can be in the range 3-7.
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Intermediate Level
The full range of options is only available with registration.
At the Intermediate Level you can choose 'addition', 'subtraction' , 'multiplication' or 'division':
Addition/Subtraction: Teaches addition or subtraction with the highest number in the range 4-100.
Multiplication/Division: Teaches multiplication or division with the highest number in the range 3-12. In the case of division, the highest number refers to the divisor and answer.
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Higher Level
The Higher Level is only available in the registered version.
You can choose 'Recognising Fractions', 'Working with Fractions', 'Fractions to Decimals' or 'Fractions to Percentages'. Each has 3 difficulty levels.
Recognising Fractions: Identifying fractions from segments of a circle.
Working with Fractions: Calculation of fractions of whole numbers.
Fractions to Decimals: Conversion of fractions to decimals.
Fractions to Percentages: Conversion of fractions to percentages.
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Playing the Game
The game is very simple. Each player has a playing grid with a variety of possible answers. Click on the correct answer and one of four symbols (heart, face, umbrella, magnet) will appear. The first player with 5 identical symbols wins. However, if you fail to click the correct answer within the time limit, or click 3 wrong answers in succession, the correct answer will be shown and you will have missed your turn.
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Timer
The timer encourages quick thinking. If you run out of time (or get the answer wrong 3 times) the correct answer will appear on screen and you will miss your turn.
You can choose a speed suited to your child; probably best to begin slowly and later speed up.
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Options
There are three 'Options' : 'Timer sound' - use to switch off the timer sound only; 'Sound' - use to switch off all sound effects; and 'Certificate' which allows the printing of a simple certificate when a game is won (note: not all printers support the printing of a certificate). If the day or date on the certificate is wrong, then this is due to a wrong date setting in Windows: this can be corrected via the control panel (from the start menu, select settings > control panel > date/time).
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Bonus Games
If a player (other than the computer) wins a game with no errors and without being 'timed out', then you can play one of two bonus games: a simple jigsaw or 'Matching Pairs'; by default, the jigsaw is used as the bonus at the lower level and 'Matching Pairs' at the intermediate and higher levels. However, if you wish, you can select to use the jigsaw at any level.
Note: 'Matching Pairs' is not available at the lower level, or with 'Recognising Fractions'.
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Game Options
Select 'Game Options' from the menu bar, to view your current game options (type of sum, level, speed etc), change these game options or begin a new game (of the same type).
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? and X icons
These two icons, which appear at the bottom of the screen at intermediate and higher levels, give children access to a simple calculator ('?' icon) and an interactive set of multiplication tables ('x' icon). These will allow your child to find out answers he or she missed, but ONLY before or after a game. Neither is available during a game.
Note: the calculator is intended to be very simple (to make it easy to use and understand) - for example, the maximum number input is 9999, and answers are given to different numbers of decimal places, depending on the size of the answer.
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Tutorials
In the registered version there are tutorials on multiplication, division, fractions, decimals and percentages which will help children learn the basics and get more out of the game.
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WARRANTY DISCLAIMER
These programs and documentation are provided "as is" and without any express or implied warranties. I have run the programs on a number of machines but cannot possibly anticipate all possible variations of software and hardware that the programs may be run under. Therefore, the user must assume the entire risk of using these programs. Under no circumstances will I be liable for any damages arising from the use of, or inabilty to use, these programs.
