First Math (Steve Hamilton)

Title – First Math
System – Commodore 64
Authors – Steve Hamilton
Publication – COMPUTE! Issue 39, August 1983
Page Scans – 1 2
Preserved by – eboy71
Recommended Emulator – VICE

Download ROM

Loading the Game –

Mount the disk image (Compute 039 – First Math.d64) in your emulator. In VICE, this is done by selecting File → Attach Disk Image
Load the app by typing LOAD”FIRST MATH”,8
Once loaded, type RUN to start

Game Instructions –

First Math is a simple math game, similar the flash cards that a teacher would show in elementary school
You start by selecting the operator you want to use: + for addition, – for subtraction, * for multiplication, / for division
You then provide numbers for the upper and lower limits you want the game to use.
The game then starts, randomly selecting numbers within the range that you selected.
When you get 10 answers correct in a row, you win.
If you answer incorrectly, the counter resets.

Article Text

This math game for children features graphics, color and sound. In addition to displaying the correct answer after a child has entered the incorrect one, there is a small fanfare for ten consecutive correct answers. Versions for VIC, 64, TI, Radio Shack Color Computer, And Apple.

I was introduced to home computing last May when I bought the VIC-20. I got one partly for my two boys, so they would grow up with some knowledge about a computer. Since the older boy was just approaching kindergarten, I thought it would be at least a year or so before he would be ready to operate the VIC. He was ready long before I had anticipated.

The following is a simple math exercise that I developed for him. In this program, the user is given a choice of exercises: addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. Then, a choice of upper and lower limits is specified for each of the two numbers in each question. Since the computer will generate random numbers, the parameters you choose will become the limits for each number pair. This is how you can adjust the difficulty level.

Editor’s Note: