MathLanders A+ comprises a base module with multiple common functionalities, and separate individual modules for various types of quizzes.
The individual quiz modules cover areas such as number sense and numeration, ordering, number operations and their properties, fractions, word problems, logic and critical thinking, and other. In addition, the program naturally introduces abstract concepts in mathematics such as variables and equations, inequalities, linearity, proportionality.
The following is a list of individual quiz types and a brief description as to how they are implemented in the program:
Number sense and numeration
There are 5 types of quizzes for number sense and numeration, as follows:
- Hundred chart.
- Ten-base frames.
- Ordering.
- Counting. In this quiz type, the student is asked to count by certain amounts. A series of 5 numbers is required to be completed for a quiz to be considered solved (ex. 12, 16, 20, 24, 28). There are four criteria upon which the "Count By" quiz type is categorized, each with multiple levels of difficulty.
- Place value. In this quiz type, the student is required to decompose a number by ones, tens, hundreds etc.
Additions and subtractions
There are 3 types of quizzes for Additions and Subtractions:
- These are simple addition and subtraction quizzes given to the student in the form "a + b = ?". There are 22 levels of difficulty for this quiz type, starting with the easiest one (ex. 5 + 3 = ?), and going up in small difficulty increments to the most difficult ones. Preferably, these operations should be performed mentally. By using small increments in difficulty levels, and building on the proficiency already acquired for the lower levels, it is possible to go up the difficulty progression ladder and achieve high proficiency in performing complicated operations mentally, well beyond the levels usually required in schools.
- The quizzes of this type train the student on the algorithm for performing addition and subtraction operations with larger numbers that cannot (or are difficult) be solved mentally, by placing the numbers one under the other and adding or subtracting the ones, tens and hundreds of the two numbers separately. Because the intent of this quiz type is to focus on the algorithm itself, there are no difficulty levels associated with it.
- These are addition and subtraction quizzes given to the student in written form, such as "Twenty-four minus seventeen equals ?" As with the "Addition and Subtraction 1" quiz type, the "Word Operations" quiz type comprises 22 levels of difficulty. Although the basic operations are the same, the way they are presented to the student is different, and of different difficulty level. Before having to solve the basic operation, the student has to mentally put it first in the format he/she understands the best.
Multiplications
There are 4 types of quizzes for Multiplications:
- These are simple times table multiplication quizzes given to the student in the form "a x b = ?". There are 23 levels of difficulty for this quiz type, starting with the easiest ones (ex. 2 x 3 = ?), and going up in small difficulty increments to the most difficult ones.
- The quizzes of this type train the student on the algorithm for performing multiplications between numbers bigger than 10, which cannot (or are difficult) be solved mentally, by placing the numbers one under the other. Because the intent of this quiz type is to focus on the algorithm itself, there are no difficulty levels associated with it.
- These are quizzes given to the student in a form such as "a x ? = c". That is, the student has to find a number that gives something known when it's multiplied with another number. There are multiple difficulty levels, based on the criterion of the complexity of the operation upon which the equation is based, for which 17 levels of difficulty are implemented. Solving quizzes of this type requires a strategy that represents the most basic algorithm to solve an equation. The student has to find a number that gives something known when it's multiplied with another number. Thus, the new concepts of "unknowns" and "equations" are introduced intuitively, although not explicitely, by the fact that the number to be found is not isolated in the equality, but it is part of an operation. Although the early grades student does not take advantage of the basic methods used in solving equations (like multiplying or dividing both sides of the equation by the same amount in order to isolate the unknown), he/she grasps the basic concept of an equation, no matter how simple or complicated - an equality based on various numbers and operations, out of which a missing number has to be found somehow.
- These are quizzes given to the student in the form of multiplication table. The numbers are presented in 5x5, 7x7 and 10x10 tables, where the numbers to be multiplied are connected with a line. This is a more visual representation of the times table. Three levels of difficulty are implemented, based on the size of the table, as described above.
Divisions
These are simple times table multiplication quizzes given to the student in the form "a : b = ?". There are 23 levels of difficulty for this quiz type, depending on how big the numbers to be divided are. The difficulty increases in small increments.
Word problems based on basic equations
There are 6 types of word problems based on basic equations. These are:
- Equation a+-b=c. These are word problems based on the equation in the form "a + b = c". There are three categories for this type of problems, and for each of these categories there are multiple difficulty levels.
- Equation a+-b+-c=d.
- Equation a*b=c
- Equation a*b+c=d
- Equation (a+b)*c=d
- Words and Numbers
Logic problems with Categorical Sentences
These are logic problems based on the categorical sentences. There are 4 categories associated with this quiz type, each with multiple difficulty levels. The Categorical Sentences problems, and any logic problems for that matter, are not part of any curriculum. However, the importance of acquiring a strong logical reasoning at an early age is tremendous. Not only the student will perform better at math overall, but the benefit of possessing a logical mind will give the student the edge in many other areas. In addition, all future academic activities will become easier.
Problems based on inequalities
This problem type deals with the logic and reasoning of inequalities. Although there are 3 categories for the Inequalities problems, the levels of only one of these categories are ordered by difficulty. There are 4 difficulty levels associated with the Order problems.
Many of the inequalities problems may look similar in form, but all of them are different from one another in essence, due to the multiple ramifications by the categories and levels within categories. There currently are 224 Inequalities problems included in MathLanders A+.
Problems based on ordinals
This problem type deals with the logic and reasoning of the ordinal numbers. All these problems were developed from a basic problem, out of which a big number of ramifications, based on the different categories of these problems and their associated levels of difficulty, led to a big number of slightly different problems, each of which requiring slightly different reasoning aspects to be solved. Although the problems may look similar in form, all of them are different from one another in essence.
Although there are 3 categories for the Order problems, the levels of only one of these categories are ordered by difficulty. There are 10 difficulty levels associated with the ordinal problems. There currently are 186 ordinal problems included in MathLanders A+.
Problems based on changing the sum/difference
There are two types of these problems:
- Word problems based on additions and subtractions. A member on the operation is changed and the student is asked to answer what happens with the sum or the difference.
- Word problems based on additions and subtractions. A member on the operation is changed and the student is asked to answer what happens with the sum or the difference.
Problems based on linear relationships
- Problems that involve linear relations – Although "Linear Relations" problems are not explicitely expressed in a regular curriculum, they are an excellent way to practise student's analytical skills.
- Problems that involve a linear relationship between three parameters – Variations in one or two parameters can be performed at a time, and direct or inverse relationships can be involved in the problems.
Problems based on proportions
These are word problems that involve proportions. Although "Proportions" problems are not explicitely expressed in a regular curriculum, they are an excellent way to practise student's analytical skills. Some of these problems may require intense mental analysis.
Time problems
There are three types of time problems, each involving different reasoning aspects, as follows:
- Concatenated intervals – Word problems based on time intervals, working with hours. These are based on concatenated intervals.
- Parallel intervals – Word problems based on time intervals, working with hours. These are based on parallel intervals.
- Year problems – Word problems based on time intervals, working with years.