The Quarter Mile Math Games (computer programs)

Barnum Software

Math drill in either drag racing or “wild” riderless, running horses format offers a new twist to the challenge of mastering math facts. Programs are available in three levels, in different bundled packages of the levels, and in a cross-section of topics from all levels. The K-9 cross section package has 16,000 problems drawn from those included in the more topic-specific programs. The grades level 1, K-3 program has 22,000 problems covering keyboarding, alphabet, whole numbers, and estimating. The level 2, grades 4-7 program has 29,000 problems covering whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, and estimation. The level 3, grades 5-9 package covers positive and negative number operations and equations with 21,000 problems. A bundle of levels 2 and 3 has 50,000 problems, and the even larger bundle of all three levels covering problems for grades K-9 has more than 70,000 problems.

During each race, problems appear one at at time, presented randomly from a pool of problems for each topic. Correct answers increase the player’s speed and cause a new problem to appear. Incorrect answers leave the problem on the screen for three tries; then the program gives the correct answer. After each race, the dragster or horse gets an elapsed time. Once the student has raced five times, the top 5 average elapsed times are posted; students then race against their own top five times from then on. More than one player can record scores so they can compete against each other.

Home schoolers can participate in Barnum Software’s international Quarter Mile tournaments.