


      ARITHMETIC(6)               (bsd 4.2)               ARITHMETIC(6)



      NAME
           arithmetic - provide drill in number facts

      SYNTAX
           /usr/games/arithmetic [ +-x/ ] [ range ]

      DESCRIPTION
           Arithmetic types out simple arithmetic problems, and waits
           for an answer to be typed in.  If the answer is correct, it
           types back ``Right!'', and a new problem.  If the answer is
           wrong, it replies ``What?'', and waits for another answer.
           Every twenty problems, it publishes statistics on
           correctness and the time required to answer.

           To quit the program, type an interrupt (delete).

           The first optional argument determines the kind of problem
           to be generated; +, -, x, and / respectively cause addition,
           subtraction, multiplication, and division problems to be
           generated.  One or more characters can be given; if more
           than one is given, the different types of problems will be
           mixed in random order; default is +-.

           Range is a decimal number; all addends, subtrahends,
           differences, multiplicands, divisors, and quotients will be
           less than or equal to the value of range.  Default range is
           10.

           At the start, all numbers less than or equal to range are
           equally likely to appear.  If the respondent makes a
           mistake, the numbers in the problem which was missed become
           more likely to reappear.

           As a matter of educational philosophy, the program will not
           give correct answers, since the learner should, in
           principle, be able to calculate them.  Thus the program is
           intended to provide drill for someone just past the first
           learning stage, not to teach number facts de novo.  For
           almost all users, the relevant statistic should be time per
           problem, not percent correct.















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