This software has been designed to run under Microsoft Windows 95/98 (TM).
The final installation will require approximately 600 kb of hard disk space, however the compressed file will initially expand to about 980 kb.
This software has been compressed into a single-part download of approximately 750kb. At a transfer rate of 3 kb/sec it will take approximately 4 minutes to download.
To download, click on the 'download link' and specify a download location. You will need to remember this download location to run the install program, so now is a good time to make a note of it.
Wait until the download is complete. Note that if internet traffic is heavy this could take considerably longer than the 4 minutes indicated above - you can always try when traffic is not so heavy.
Once the download is complete, find the downloaded file ArithPractice.zip and double click it to decompress and run the InstallShield(TM) installation program. Follow the instructions on screen which allow you to chose where Arithmetic Practice should be installed to - if you are not sure, it is best to leave all the settings as they are during the installation procedure.
When the installation is complete, you can run Arithmetic Practice from the Start menu, under the Programs menu.
This program is aimed at older children, from about 10+ and also at adults of all ages, even those who know all their tables up to the twelve times table! The layout of the program is simple and uncluttered to focus attention solely on the task of improving table recall.
If you wish to help yourself, or a friend or relative with multiplication tables, this program may or may not be helpful. It could easily be the case, for example, that the extra skills required to use the keyboard and read information from the screen is actually a barrier to learning. Please, therefore, make careful judgement of how appropriate an aide this program may be. Pencil, paper or spoken methods, including methods involving social contexts may be more appropriate!
An understanding of multiplication tables helps in many areas of social mathematics and underpins further study and enjoyment of maths. This program has grown out of the author's class-room experience in table drills; building confidence and creating the desire to go further - with a competitive edge too!
Use the program once each time you start your computer - put ArithPractice.exe in the StartUp area of your computer (do this by dragging the ArithPractice.exe file from MyComputer, hold it over the Start menu, hold it over the Programs menu and finally release it over the StartUp menu). Use it for perhaps 30 seconds each day. You won't get fed up, but your speed should improve over a few weeks and months.
This computer program will be most successful as part of a complete programme of table practice. Use it to help you build up speed. Or use it competetively!
Here's an example of how you could learn the 3x table (or any set of facts). Get some scrap paper and write down a list of the questions in the first column. Write down the answers in the next column (use a calculator if you are not sure). Read them over carefully. Do you think you know the answers? If so, fold the paper so that you can't see the answers - only the questions, and try and fill in all the answers without looking. Check to see if you are correct and repeat, repeat, repeat. Here is the layout:
| Question | Answer | Try 1 | Try 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 x 1 | 3 | ||
| 3 x 2 | 6 | ||
| 3 x 3 | 9 |
Do them in order first because it is easier that way. It is also easier to learn just 3 or 4 questions at a time. Now, once you think you know the table, fire up the program. Set it to ask you just the 3 times table (from the Practice-Settings menu, or click on the screwdriver). If you look under the Help menu, you will find out how to use the settings dialogue (once help is open, double click on the purple book, followed by the Practice menu). Once you can do the whole table in the correct (ascending) order, switch it to ask you at random - its a bit harder!
To use the program competitively, try setting it to automatic difficulty progression, starting at the 2 times table (which may be easy, but don't worry, you'll soon start to sweat). Start with a new file (select File New) to make sure you have no points. The program will ask you every multiplication up to 20 x 20. The answer to the sum is the number of points you win if you are correct. It is also the number you lose if you are wrong. Just to make you feel a little more uncomfortable, to obtain maximum bonus points, you must read the question and key the answer in less than one second. (This is possible, but very difficult for anything over the 15 times table). Each passing second reduces your bonus by one point, down to a lower limit of a ten point penalty. This is instant recall or rapid processing! To get the best out of this, use the numeric keypad, with your middle finger on the '5', index on '4', ring finger on '6'. To hit 7,8,9 or 1,2,3 shift the correct finger up or down a row. Hit enter with your pinky to get your answer marked. Pause to collect your wits and digest your score, before hitting enter again with your pinky to get the next question. TAKE CARE not to hit the NUMLOCK key or you'll switch the keypad off!Once each set of questions is complete, you can activate the next set, by pressing CTRL + T. How many points can you gain from the 2 to the 20 times table? (Can your friend/parent/brother/sister/teacher get more?) Note - it's not a fair game if you repeat any of the tables. The theoretical maximum score is 24,758 points in a single run from 2 to 20 with no repeats allowed!
Good luck!
Chris McGinlay, 020800
Return to download pageAll material © Ascent Software Ltd.