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→Your Child and the Computer
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.
===Playing Dragon Mix===
When the game begins, three space ships are displayed along the left edge of the screen, each with a different multiplication or division problem on its side. These ships advance one at a time toward the right, attacking the city and its defending dragon.
The object of Dragon Mix is to "equalize" the space ships with the dragon's fire blasts before the ships destroy the city. To do this, your child first determines which ship's problem is answered by the number the computer displays on the dragon. Then, when the dragon's tongue is pointing toward that ship, she or he makes the dragon blast fire by pressing the '''Q''' or '''Y''' key or the '''SPACE BAR'''. If joysticks are used, press the FIRE button to make the dragon blast fire.
When the number on the dragon correctly answers a ship's problem, the fire blast "equalizes" the ship, disintegrates it, and scores a hit. Each time a ship is equalized, another ship with a new problem takes its place at the left edge of the screen, and the attack continues.
====When Your Child Misses a Problem====
When the number displayed on the dragon does not correctly answer a ship's problem, blasting the ship scores a miss, and it advances again.
If a space ship is not equalized before it advances to the middle of the screen, that ship blasts one of the city's skyscrapers with its laser. The laser blast ricochets inside the skyscraper and atomizes it.
When a skyscraper is destroyed, all the ships disappear from the screen for a few seconds. Then three new ships with new problems appear along the left edge of the screen, and the attack resumes.
If the ships destroy all three skyscrapers before the game's time limit has expired, the game is over.
====Options Available in Dragon Mix====
When your child selects Dragon Mix, the OLM title and copyright screens appear, followed by an instruction screen which says PRESS ANY KEY TO PLAY. When this instruction screen appears, your child has two choices. One choice is to begin a preset game. Pressing any key on the computer keyboard begins a game at a skill level of 7 with multiplication problems using numbers from O to 9 and division problems with answers from 0 to 9. This preset game lasts for two minutes and is played on the keyboard.
A second choice is to alter these preset options to fit your child's individual learning needs or preferences by pressing '''AID'''. For example, your child may want to play the game for a longer period of time or to use the Wired Remote Controllers (joysticks) rather than the keyboard. (For details on changing program options, see "How to Select Options.")
''Note'': The preset game is intended to challenge your child to discover existing skills and knowledge. Some children may want to continue to play using the options designated in the preset game, and other children may want to adjust the game options. Help your child determine what options are appropriate by watching him or her play the first game.
