@preview intro $CENTER *PREVIEW: The Registered Version of The X-zone: A Math Odyssey The licensed version of The X-zone contains 8 lessons on integer operations and algebraic expressions. Each lesson has 8-20 random practice problems in which the student is given one or two chances to answer correctly. If they make a mistake, the program shows them the correct procedure. For every practice, the student must attain the skill level set by the captain (teacher), or the program will prompt him or her to review the lesson. The scorecard keeps track of the student's progress and may be printed in the licensed version. Three X-zone Challenge games and four Balloon Rides provide exciting practice to increase accuracy and speed. @table of contents 1 $CENTER *Table of Contents I. Addition of Integers 1. LESSON: The Discovery 2. PRACTICE: Like Signs 3. LESSON: Positive Meets Negative 4. PRACTICE: Opposite Signs 5. GAME: X-zone Challenge I 6. GAME: Balloon Ride - Addition II. Subtraction of Integers 1. LESSON: The Ots Simulator 2. PRACTICE: Field Maneuvers 3. LESSON: The Rule 4. PRACTICE: The Rule 5. GAME: X-zone Challenge II 6. GAME: Balloon Ride - Subtraction (Continued on next page) @table of contents 2 $CENTER *Table of Contents (Continued) III. Multiplication and Division 1. LESSON: The Factadivisor 2. PRACTICE: Division of Integers 3. LESSON: Factors 4. PRACTICE: Multiplication of Integers 5. LESSON: Three Factors 6. PRACTICE: Three Factors 7. GAME: X-zone Challenge III 8. GAME: Balloon Ride - Multiplication and Division IV. Algebraic Expressions 1. LESSON: Variables 2. PRACTICE: The Expression Evaluator 3. GAME: Balloon Ride - Algebraic Expressions @preview ots text $ABOVE CENTER *LESSON: OTS OPERATIONS SIMULATOR The Ots Simulator lesson uses a space machine called The Orb Transport System (Ots) to remove positive or negative energy from gravitational fields. Ots is necessary for ships to travel safely in the X-zone. For this demonstration, the program will control Ots' movement and transfer beam firing mechanism. In the licensed version of the X-zone, the student moves and fires Ots with the mouse or keyboard arrow keys. @preview ots numline The lesson begins by introducing the number the number line to show students how to manipulate Ots. ~Program the Orb Transfer System to graph the coordinate negative three by pressing Enter.~ @preview ots note $CENTER PLEASE NOTE: The next demonstration involves something called a reverse transfer of zero energy. The licensed version of the X-zone uses several "field simulations" to show the student exactly how this is done. For now, you will have to trust that Ots knows what it is doing. @preview ots shoot Watch the field energy panel as Ots brings in orbs from another field to subtract negative two from positive five. ~Press Enter.~ @preview rule 1 The rule for subtraction of integers is this: to subtract an integer, add its opposite. First, watch Ots solve the problem. ~Press Enter.~ @preview rule 2 Now we will use the rule to solve the same problem that Ots just did. On earth, the rule is all we have. ~Press Enter.~ @preview challenge 2 *THE X-ZONE CHALLENGE II This is a game designed to increase speed. There are 20 random problems and 3 levels of difficulty. In the problem below, the opposite of 4 is -4. When you enter -4, four negative orbs will appear and begin to move together. You must add 2 + -4 before the orbs meet to score points. ~Type -4 and press Enter.~ The addition will be done for you. In the licensed software, you do it all! @preview fad text $ABOVE CENTER *LESSON: THE FACTADIVISOR The Factadivisor, nicknamed Fad, creates factors, addends and divisors to aid the student in understanding the rules for dividing and multiplying integers. ~Press Enter to prepare Fad for its demonstration.~ @preview fad 1 Watch what happens when Fad divides negative eight by negative four. ~Press Enter.~ @preview mult text *LESSON: FACTORS The Factadivisor uses energy collected from division to create factors. Watch a positive factor of four multiply three negative orbs. ~Press Enter.~ @preview three fact text 1 *LESSON: THREE FACTORS Three factors are no problem: just multiply twice. ~Press Enter to see Fad handle the first two factors.~ @preview three fact text 2 Now all that needs to be done is to multiply 9 by -2. You probably know the answer, but in ^this^ version, Fad gets to have all the fun. ~Press Enter.~ @preview challenge 3 text $CENTER *X-ZONE CHALLENGE III Now is the time when Fad tests the student's knowledge of how multiplication and division truly works. There are 20 problems and 3 levels of difficulty and speed. When Fad sends an orb into space, the student must solve the problem before the orb is drawn back into Fad. The answer to the problem is given. The student has to enter a missing dividend, divisor, or factor. They have to think backwards. All the games in the X-zone are designed so that the student may not go on to a higher level until they have answered at least 5 problems in a row correctly. @preview challenge 3 In the problem below, the divisor is missing. You can think, "What number divided by -3 equals 4", or work backwards by multiplying -3 by 4. Either way, the missing number is 12. ~Press Enter to see what happens if you do not answer in time.~ @preview var text *LESSON: VARIABLES Ancient travelers placed orbs in boxes called variables. That was the only way they knew to balance regional energy. Fad will scan the variable to reveal how much energy is inside. ~Press Enter.~ @preview var 1 The Orb Record Keeper, Ork, kept very good records of variable values in X-zone regions. ~Press Enter to place the value of x in the expression.~ @preview var 2 Ork also solved the problem of how to free the orbs when other orbs became attached to the boxes. ~Press Enter again to balance the energy and evaluate the expression.~ @preview end 1 $CENTER Dear Traveler: The staff at B & W Software hopes that you have enjoyed your voyage aboard the USS Integer, and that you will want to go on another trip soon. When you register for your next journey, you will receive valuable information concerning future voyages to previously unexplored regions of the X-zone. These trips will give you the opportunity to develop an understanding of concepts that all too few earthlings are able to grasp. The distant reaches of the dimension contain phenomenon such as simplification of algebraic expressions, equations, and the distributive property. @preview end 2 $CENTER At this very moment, we are overhauling the USS Integer. Its transference array will soon operate in Macintosh and Windows VGA Graphics modes. By November, 1995, the USS Integer II should be ready for launching. We would like to have you aboard! Sincerely, Cindy Barnes Travis Green Sue Lanpher Srivaths Sankaran David Shulmister Norma Schwartz Pat Thorne Mike Wagner Rusty Wagner @end