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Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 1
+------------------------------+
+-! !
! ! M A T H T E S T !
! ! !
! ! Shareware Version 3.00-S !
! ! !
! +------------------------------+
+------------------------------+
Copyright (C) 1995, Kenneth Perrine
WELCOME
Mathtest is an educational mathematic problem solving game. It
lets players practice addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division problems, with varying skill levels and difficulties.
Selectable options allow players to practice advanced problem
types, such as multi-digit problems, negative numbers, decimals,
carrying, borrowing, and long division.
This math program is ideal for students who are learning basic
math problems, and also for students are familiar with basic
math problems but need to either practice advanced problems or
improve speed and accuracy with basic problems.
Mathtest offers three games which appear after a math problem is
successfully solved. The first game involves using a rocket to
hit the word "TEST", which moves across the screen. In the
second game, the player attempts to throw a rock through a moving
box. In the third game, the player tries to hit a sphere with a
light-beam. One point is gained for each successful game played
or problem solved. The game remains the same until the player's
score reaches the goal value, which is initially ten points in
value. When the goal is reached, the game changes, and the time
available to solve math problems slightly decreases (unless the
timer is turned off). When the score reaches sixty points, the
player wins the game set.
Mathtest has many features, which are selected via menus in the
program or the command line.
o Mathtest can present addition, subtraction, multiplication,
and division problems.
o Players can solve horizontal or vertical problems.
o Negative numbers can be used.
o Decimal points can appear in problems.
o Players can solve components of math problems, such as 2 + ? =
6, where the answer is 4.
o Five difficulty settings exist for the types of math problems
displayed, so users can solve for single-digit or multi-digit
problems.
o In multi-digit problems, the player can carry, borrow, and/or
solve long division or multi-digit multiplication problems
on-screen.
o The math problem timer can be turned off or changed to one of
five speed settings.
Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 2
o The sound can be turned off.
o The top number in math problems can be held constant to
practice individual multiplication tables.
o The "drill" mode can be enabled, which causes a selected number
of math problems to be displayed before a game appears.
o Games can be turned off.
o On-line help is available for almost every screen.
o Changed options in the program are saved in a configuration
file.
o Multiple configuration files may be used.
o The player can sharpen his/her keyboard skills with the
built-in SpeedKeys Practice Program.
o The program features a built-in integrity checker, which
verifies that the program and its files are unmodified and
authentic.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Mathtest 3.00 has been designed to run on a wide variety of
IBM-compatible PC's. Mathtest will run on Pentiums, as well as
XT's. The computer must be equipped with color graphics, such as
VGA, EGA, or CGA. The system must also have at least 320K of
free memory. Mathtest will work with DOS versions 3.0 and
greater.
STARTING MATHTEST
To start Mathtest, type MATHTEST at the DOS prompt. If the
Mathtest files are in another disk or directory than what you are
currently using, you must change to the appropriate disk or
directory first.
When you are in Mathtest, you may find out more about features
and on-screen options by pressing the <I> key for the Information
Screen. On almost every screen, the <F1> key can be pressed for
on-line help.
INTEGRITY CHECK
When Mathtest is started for the first time, it will check
program files to make sure they are authentic and have not been
modified. These are the files that the integrity checker tests:
MATHTEST.EXE - The executable file
MATHTEST.DAT - The graphics data file
MATHTEST.HLP - The help resource file
MATHTEST.DOC - This documentation file
MATHTEST.FRM - The print-out registration form
Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 3
CONFIGURATION FILE
When Mathtest is first started, a configuration file, called
MATHTEST.CFG, is written in the current directory. This
configuration file saves user-selected options, making the same
options active when Mathtest is restarted. To reset the options
to default selections and to make the integrity checker start
the next time Mathtest is started, erase the file MATHTEST.CFG by
typing at the DOS prompt:
ERASE MATHTEST.CFG
If you make copies of the shareware version of Mathtest for
others to use, you should erase the configuration file so that
Mathtest will start with its default choices and run the
integrity checker when it is started on a different computer.
SHAREWARE DISTRIBUTION
If you copy Mathtest for others to use, these are the files that
should be included with the copy:
MATHTEST.EXE - Main program
MATHTEST.DAT - Graphics data file
MATHTEST.HLP - Help file
MATHTEST.DOC - Documentation file
MATHTEST.FRM - Print-out registration form
MATHTEST.ICO - The Mathtest icon, which may be used if it is run
under Windows
README.TXT - Brief overview of how to print the documentation
DOC.BAT - Prints the documentation file
RUNMATH.BAT - Displays the README file
COMMAND-LINE OPTIONS
Mathtest may be started with the command-line options listed
below. If you wish to use any of these options, type the options
as shown below when Mathtest is started. For example, if you
want Mathtest to operate in "drill" 10 mode, then the following
command-line would be used to start Mathtest:
MATHTEST /D=10
Note that more than one option may be used, in any order.
Separate options with a single space. For example, if you want
to run Mathtest in four-color mode, keep the configuration file
located on a disk in the A: drive from being changed, and cause a
quick integrity check to occur when Mathtest starts, then use:
MATHTEST /J /F=A: /N /C
These options may be put into a batch file, so a user would not
need to type these options when he or she is starting Mathtest.
See the question: "Startup: How do I type less to start
Mathtest?" in the section "How do I..." below for information on
how to make a batch file.
Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 4
A brief overview of the available command-line options may be
seen by typing at the DOS prompt:
MATHTEST /?
/A=number
Assigns the top number in math problems as a certain value. This
is useful for practicing individual multiplication tables in math
problems. Numbers 0 through 100 are valid.
/C
Makes Mathtest run in four-color mode. Use this option if the
sixteen-color graphics are not behaving correctly, or if the
animation in sixteen colors is too slow.
/D=number
Puts Mathtest into "drill" mode. The 'drill' mode in Mathtest
allows you to set how many math problems will appear before a
game is seen. For more information, run Mathtest, press
<CONTROL-D> when the Title Screen or the Main Menu appear, and
then press the <F1> key for on-line help. Valid numbers for this
option are: 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, or 60. Select 0 to turn the
'drill' mode off, 1 to base scoring upon successfully-answered
math problems instead of successfully-won games, 2, 5, 10, 20, or
30 for the same scoring method as number 1 but with more math
problems displayed before games, or 60 to turn off the games.
Changes to this option are saved in the configuration file,
unless the /N option is used.
/F=[path]filename
Defines a custom location and/or filename for a configuration
file. Normally, when Mathtest is run, a configuration file
called MATHTEST.CFG is written to the same location as the
Mathtest program files. By using the /F parameter, configuration
files of other names than MATHTEST.CFG may be used. If only a
path is specified, the file MATHTEST.CFG is written in the
location of the path. This is useful for managing the
configurations of multiple users, classes or groups on individual
computers or networks, especially when used with batch files.
MATHTEST /F=CLASS06.CFG
uses the file CLASS06.CFG as a configuration file.
MATHTEST /F=C:\STUDENTS\MTH.CFG
uses the file MTH.CFG in the specified path.
MATHTEST /F=C:\STUDENTS
uses the default file MATHTEST.CFG in the STUDENTS directory.
MATHTEST /F=A:
uses the default file MATHTEST.CFG in drive A:.
/G=number
Changes the first game that appears when a math problem is
successfully answered. By default, /G=1 is used. This makes the
first rocket game appear. Use /G=2 to make the throwing game
appear, or use /G=3 to make the light-beam game appear.
Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 5
/H or /?
Displays a brief overview of the command-line options.
/I
Performs an integrity check on Mathtest files. This is
automatically done when Mathtest writes its default configuration
file for the first time. To perform an integrity check again,
use this option.
/J
This option is the same as the /I option, but Mathtest does not
pause when it says that all of the files are OK. This may be
used in batch files to cause the integrity checker to check
program files every time Mathtest starts.
/N
This causes changes in Mathtest options to not be written to the
configuration file. If you set up a configuration file which
contains preset options, you may use the /N option in a batch
file to keep those preset options from being changed. To change
the preset options again, don't use the /N option when starting
Mathtest.
/R
Clears and resets the configuration file with Mathtest defaults.
Use this in conjunction with the /N option to bypass a
configuration file without changing it and to use Mathtest
default options.
OPTIONS THAT ARE NOT DOCUMENTED IN MATHTEST
The Mathtest "drill" mode may be selected while the title screen,
the main menu, or the options screen are displayed. Press
<CONTROL-D> when one of these screens is displayed to cause the
"Drill" Mode menu to appear. Press the <F1> key when the "Drill"
Mode menu is displayed for a detailed explanation on what the
"drill" mode does.
While a math problem is displayed, you can press <CONTROL-W> to
change the game that is displayed when Mathtest problems are
answered correctly.
If explosion effects are slow when the games are running, the
<ESC> key may be pressed once to skip the remainder of the
explosion.
HOW DO I... ?
Mathtest contains several features which may be very useful if
utilized. If you have a particular question of how to do
something, browse through these questions (which are arranged
somewhat by subject, alphabetically) for an answer:
Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 6
Configuration: How do I insure that Mathtest will start with the
same set of options as when it was last started?
Start Mathtest with the /N command-line option.
MATHTEST /N
The configuration is read from the configuration file, but
new or changed selections are not saved.
Configuration: How do I use an alternate configuration file?
How can I use Mathtest for multiple users or classes?
Use the /F command-line option. For example, you can use:
MATHTEST /F=CLASS06.CFG
to make certain options become active which are based upon a
particular class' or user's objectives. The name
CLASS06.CFG is arbitrary; any path and/or filename may be
used after the /F option. If you don't want an
already-established configuration to change for a class,
then use:
MATHTEST /F=CLASS06.CFG /N
If multiple users use certain directories on a computer for
storing configuration files, a path may be specified with
the /F option.
Note that all of these things can be done in a batch file.
Refer to the question: "Startup: How can I type less to
start Mathtest?" for more information.
Configuration: How do I take Mathtest out of "drill" mode?
Either start Mathtest with:
MATHTEST /D=0
or, press <CONTROL-D> when the Title Screen or the Main Menu
is displayed, and select "Normal" from the menu. This
change will be saved in the configuration file.
Drill: See "Configuration". Or, see "Games".
File (Configuration): See "Configuration".
Games: How do I change which game appears?
When you start Mathtest, use the /G option. Specify the
desired game number like this:
MATHTEST /G=n, where n equals the game number.
/G=1 is the default rocket game.
The game can also be switched by pressing <CONTROL-Q> when a
math problem appears on the screen.
Games: How do I turn off the games?
When Mathtest is running in "drill" mode, more than one math
problem can be displayed before a game appears. If the
number of consecutive math problems is set to 60, no games
appear before the player wins Mathtest.
MATHTEST /D=60
You will only need to do this once; this change is saved in
the configuration file, unless the /N option is used.
Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 7
Games: See also "Score".
Multiplication Tables: How do I make Mathtest display math
problems which correspond to specific multiplication tables?
Use the /A command-line option. For example, if you want
Mathtest to show multiplication problems which use the
number 6, start Mathtest like this:
MATHTEST /A=6
Remember that "Multiplication" problems must be selected on the
main menu.
Score: How do I make successfully answered math problems, not
successfully won games, change the score?
Start Mathtest with the option: /D=1.
MATHTEST /D=1
You will only need to do this once; this change is saved in
the configuration file.
Speed: How do I speed up the graphics?
If you see a blue border on the Main Menu screen, then
Mathtest is running in sixteen-color mode. On older
computers, sixteen-color graphics modes run slow. Start
Mathtest with the /C option to change the graphics to the
faster four-color mode.
MATHTEST /C
Speed: How do I turn off the timer?
Select "No Time" from the "Speed" option on the Options
Screen.
Startup: How can I type less to start Mathtest?
How can I make sure command-line options are used when Mathtest
starts?
This can be done several ways. If you are running Windows,
Mathtest can be started from the Program Manager or the
Start Menu. Refer to Windows documentation for information
on how to do this. If you want to use command-line options,
include them when you put Mathtest into the Program Manager
or the Start Menu. (If you are using Windows 95, you may
need to modify the Taskbar properties, Explore the Start
Menu, and modify the properties of Mathtest.)
If Mathtest is started from DOS, a batch file can be used to
run Mathtest. A batch file is a collection of DOS commands
that are normally typed. Batch files are defined by a
filename, followed by a .BAT extension, such as MT.BAT. You
can create a batch file by starting a text editor or a word
processor that can save or export text files, typing in the
DOS command(s) that you would normally type if no batch file
existed, and saving the file in a convenient location on a
hard or floppy disk. For example, you could create a batch
file called MT.BAT that contains the following DOS commands:
C:
CD \MATHTEST
MATHTEST /G=2 /C /D=2
Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 8
The user would then only need to type MT to cause these commands
to start.
Timer (or No Timer): See "Speed".
Option: See "Configuration".
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Mathtest version 3.00-S is a Shareware product. That means that
you are encouraged to freely make copies of Mathtest 3.00-S and
pass them on to friends for their evaluation on a non-profit
basis. Mathtest 3.00-S must be distributed in its original
un-modified form. Mathtest 3.00-S may be distributed by
Shareware distributors, through BBS services, via FTP sites, on
CD-ROM collections, as long as no more than $8.00 is charged for
the distribution service for the Mathtest program in particular.
(This means that if Mathtest 3.00-S is put on a CD with nineteen
other programs, and the CD is sold for $20, the effective
distribution service cost of Mathtest is $1.00, which is less
than the maximum allowed cost, and therefore permitted.)
Mathtest version 3.00-S is distributed "as-is" and without any
express or implied warranties whatsoever. Kenneth Perrine (who
shall hereafter be called the "AUTHOR") shall not be liable for
indirect, special, or consequential damages resulting from the
use of this software. In connection with this software, the
AUTHOR grants no warranty of merchantability or fitness for a
particular purpose.
*****************************************************************
REGISTRATION
Mathtest 3.00-S is a shareware product. If you make use of the
software, you are expected to pay a registration fee to the
author. Upon receipt of your registration fee, you will receive
a 32-page printed user's manual, version 3.00-R of Mathtest which
does not display any shareware messages, notices and discounts
for future releases of Mathtest, and a user's license.
The user's manual is more in-depth than this documentation and
the on-line help in many topic areas. Disk duplication and
installation under DOS, Windows, and Windows 95 are covered
step-by-step, and batch file creation is described more in-depth.
The behavior of selectable options in Mathtest are described, and
pictures illustrate the topics being reviewed.
The single-user registration fee is $20.00. This includes the
licence to use one copy of Mathtest 2.00-R and to make multiple
backup copies of the original disk. This package comes with one
disk and one user's manual.
Mathtest 3.00-S Documentation Page 9
Site-license packages are $50.00. These packages include the
license to make and use an unlimited number of copies of Mathtest
3.00-R within one establishment--one school within a district,
one learning center, etc. The site-license includes the use of
Mathtest on a local area network, and/or the use of Mathtest
3.00-R from multiple copies of the original disk (you can make
copies of the disk onto multiple hard disks or blank floppy disks
with the COPY or DISKCOPY commands). The site-license package
comes with one Mathtest 3.00-R disk and one user's manual.
Multiple single-user packages start with: $20.00 for the first
package; $15.00 for the next three packages; $10.00 for each
additional package. Each single-user package includes a disk and
a user's manual.
If more than four single-user packages are ordered, packages
without the user's manual may be ordered for $7.00 each. These
include a disk and a single-user license.
Additional user's manuals may be ordered for $5.00 each.
Shipping costs are included with the registration fee, unless the
order is international (outside of the United States). Please
add $2.00 for shipping on international orders.
For your convenience, print out the file MATHTEST.FRM. It is an
order form. To print it out, turn on your printer and type at
the DOS prompt:
COPY MATHTEST.FRM PRN
Or, you may load it into a word processor or text editor and
print it out.
Please make checks payable to Kenneth Perrine. Also, specify
disk size (5.25" or 3.5") when registering.
Send registrations to:
Kenneth Perrine
512 N. "K" St.
Tacoma, WA 98403
Thank-you for trying out Mathtest. If you have any comments or
suggestions, please send them to the address above.