Laws of Arithmetic
| Laws of Arithmetic | |
|---|---|
 Laws of Arithmetic (Front Cover) [1] | |
| Publisher(s) | Milliken |
| Original Retail Price | $39.95 |
| Programmer(s) | John C. Plaster |
| Part# | PHM 3099 |
| Format(s) | Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module |
| Release | 1983 (1st Quarter) |
| Genre(s) | Educational, Mathematics |
Laws of Arithmetic educational software program created for the Texas Instuments TI-99/4 and TI-99/4A home computers helping young students further their education in math education. It was developed and published by Milliken publishing company and is part of several software titles in the Milliken Math Sequences series. It was programmed by John C. Plaster. It was released during the first quarter of 1983 and released on Solid State SoftwareTM Command Module cartridge as part #: PHM 3099. It retailed originally at $39.95 (USD).
Contents
Advertising Blurb
Manual
A self-paced "tutor" which presents mathematical principles to help your child develop strong math skills. Suitable for children from grades 4 through 8.
Manual
A Note to Parents
Children need strong math skills to solve today's and tomorrow's problems. The Milliken Math Sequences, along with the Tl Home Computer, can help your child meet these challenges. The series allows children to work at their own pace and on the skill level at which they need practice. Children find that learning with the computer is fun, challenging, and motivating. The computer never tires of repetition or loses patience-it's like having a private math tutor!
The Milliken Math Sequences, developed for Texas Instruments by Milliken Publishing Company, consists of twelve Solid State Cartridges. Each cartridge concentrates on a different skill area in mathematics, such as addition, subtraction, decimals, or laws of arithmetic. By providing different levels of difficulty, the series is suitable for children from the kindergarten age through grade eight.
The Laws of Arithmetic cartridge is divided into 19 levels of difficulty, covering material generally taught in grades four through eight. The program introduces your child to the basic laws of arithmetic: the property of zero, the principles of identity elements, and the commutative, associative, and the distributive properties.
The program also presents the applications of the laws of arithmetic. For instance, the commutative law, which states that the order of factors may be changed without affecting the resulting product, is applicable for addition and multiplication. The associative law, which states that the grouping of factors may be changed without affecting the resulting product, applies to both addition and multiplication.
Your child learns that multiplication is distributive over addition. The distributive property of multiplication states that multiplying one number (A) by a set of numbers which are to be added (8 + C) can be done in two ways. The numbers (8) and (C) can be added first and then the sum can be multiplied, or they can be multiplied by (A) one by one and then combined. For example,
- A × (B + C) = (A × B) + (A × C).
Your child also encounters the applications of the principles of identity elements and the property of zero in multiplication. For example, zero is the identity element for addition; that is, zero plus a number equals that number. Similarly, this principle applies to multiplication. With multiplication, however, the number 1 is the identity element (one times a number equals that number). The· property of zero in multiplication-zero times a number is zero-is also presented.
The Laws of Arithmetic cartridge offers several special features that increase its motivational and reinforcement value:
- Colorful, rewarding graphics and sound effects that appear in response to correct answers.
- An unintimidating, try-again approach to incorrect answers.
- A progress report posted at the bottom of the screen.
- A feature that allows your child to study the answer to the problem if he or she makes a mistake.
- Advancement to the next level if problems are answered correctly, or automatic return to a lower level if your child needs more practice.
- Report screens personalized with your child's name at the end of each level's activities.
- An "Exit" screen with a complete report on your child's score at the end of the work session.
Your Child and the Computer
The Texas Instruments computer is a rugged, durable device designed for easy use and care. Teach your child to give the computer the same good care and respect he or she would give a television set, record player, or any piece of electronic equipment:
- Keep snacks and beverages away from the console.
- Don't hammer on the keyboard or place heavy objects on it.
- Don't touch the cartridge contacts. These are recessed in the cartridge to help prevent accidental soiling and/or damage.
The letters and numbers on the keyboard are arranged in the same order found on standard typewriter keyboards. If your child is not familiar with a typewriter or has not used the computer before, take a few minutes to acquaint him or her with the keyboard. Point out the row of number keys at the top and the rows of letter keys below. Show your child how to insert the cartridge and how to select the activities. This brief "tour" of the computer will help reinforce correct procedures and instill confidence as your child starts out in a new world of computers.
Today computers are involved in almost every aspect of life. Working with this cartridge can help your child become familiar with computers and their operation. Since computer-enhanced instruction is more common in the classroom every year, this knowledge can give your child an important advantage.
A Sample Activity
For easy use, directions are displayed on the screen throughout all the levels. This sample activity, however, can help to illustrate the way the program works.
Let's Begin
When the Milliken title screen appears, press any key to begin. The screen then prompts you to enter the Beginning Level. Select any level from 1 to 19 by typing the number and then pressing ENTER. For this example, press 1 and then press ENTER. Next, the screen asks for Name. Type the child's name (up to ten letters long) and press ENTER.
Now a problem is displayed on the screen. Problems at Level 1 involve the application of the commutative property of arithmetic. The principle "ADDITION IS COMMUTATIVE" is displayed on the screen. A flashing question mark shows where the answer goes, and the directions on the screen tell you to "ENTER THE CORRECT NUMBER." Your child computes the problem mentally and types the missing addend in the equation.
A progress report appears across the bottom of the screen, with the following meanings:
- PL = Problem Level
- TC = Total Correct
- TP = Total Problems
- AVG = Average
As your child works through the problems, these figures are updated to report his or her progress. TC, TP, and AVG are reset to zero at the beginning of each level.
Downloads
Laws of Arithmetic Manual Cover
Laws of Arithmetic Manual Complete (pdf format)
Addition and Subtraction 3 Manual Rom (rpk format)
