Middle & High School Mathematics

Reviewed by: Hilary Williamson
Published by: MathSoft
Price: $19.99

System Requirements:

PC
Pentium, Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP/NT 4+, 32 Mb RAM, CD-ROM, Internet for StudyWorks! Online

Description:

Start at the Resource Center, which provides a choice of topic areas along with links to a non-interactive Tutorial, Games, Homework Help and Study Works Online. A powerful worksheet window is always available, as is a graphic calculator. Topic area contents can be dragged into the worksheet window to develop problem solutions or information can be entered directly. There are toolbars for entering math equations as well as capabilities to solve equations, plot graphs and perform data analysis.

Topic areas include Basic Math and Pre-Algebra, Precalculus and Trigonometry, Algebra 1 and 2, and Geometry. There is also a Math Glossary and a very nice section on communication of math ideas, emphasizing use of pictures and explanations. Each topic area includes text explanations, e.g. on Measuring Angles or on Polygons in Geometry.

These are mostly non-interactive, though pushing buttons causes solutions to be displayed. There are text lessons, examples and practice problems, with some graphics. I especially liked the sections on 'Math in Your Career' which makes clear the relevance of knowledge of basic math concepts to many working environments.

Interspersed throughout are occasional Math Zappers, which give visual, interactive demonstrations of concepts like Adding Fractions. These are excellent, but I would have liked to see many more. Math games include a basic Tetris and Reversi, math puzzles, and interactive activities that demonstrate ideas via animation of graphs.

Online Homework Help is available. This requires (currently free) registration to enter an online (and apparently active) chat forum for help with math problems. An email address is needed to receive a verification message sent with an initial password.

Study Works Online can be used to take online tests. Access to it is again free at present, though rather complicated. It requires providing address and phone number as well as an email address, and selecting the test from a catalog (with a zero price). The test I tried was in multiple choice format, and useful guidance was provided on errors.

Movement through the information is basic, rather like navigating a sequential set of web pages. When I closed the Resource Center window I had to restart the program to get it back. However the Home button is handy to bring back the main menu, and there is a very useful search button in the menu bar, that helps to zero in quickly to specific content areas by entering a keyword or selecting from a set of them.

Features:

• Basic Math
• Pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II
• Geometry
• Trigonometry
• Worksheet window with math toolbars
• Interactive math games
• Graphic calculator
• Math glossary
• Tip of the Day
• Online 'Test Yourself'
• Live online homework help
• Free online courses for teachers
• 35 page User's Guide

Technical Aspects:

I tried the program on a Pentium IV with Windows XP. Once the CD is in the drive a window pops up with a warning to disable anti-virus programs before installation (I did so but enabled again before running this software).

The usual Wizard handles installation and offers online registration. It also offers a PDF version of the User's Guide, and offers to install Multi-Media support if not already there. The release notes include some troubleshooting information.

At one point, while trying to play a movie, the program responded that it could not find the video clip.

Most of the program is accessible to someone with auditory difficulty as material is primarily visual. However some of the interactive Math Zappers also include explanations and instructions that are only spoken.

Report and Conclusions:

Middle & High School Mathematics is a comprehensive resource for study and review of math concepts in algebra, geometry and trigonometry. Though I would have liked to see more interactive content, what is there in the Math Zappers is very well done. The worksheet window is a powerful tool, and access to additional material online adds to the value of the software, which is inexpensive for the amount of material covered. This would be a very useful program for school use (for students and for teachers), or for a motivated student to work with at home.