MatheMagics

It’s Mathemagic!

A Review of MatheMagics

Ron Enderland

Don’t you just hate math? Yeah, me too. So you can just imagine my joy at receiving for review purposes a program entitledMatheMagics.

Well, you probably know where this is heading. I still hate math, but thanksto this program, I can now have fun with numbers!

MatheMagics is presented by Dr. Arthur Benjamin. The man’s name sounds likeit should belong to some stuffy college professor equipped with elbow patchesand those reading glasses that he looks over to cast impatient glares at hisclass of ignorant buffoons.Nothing could be further from the truth.

Dr. Benjamin is a vibrant personality who has discovered some mathematicalloopholes that he is more than happy to share with the rest of us.

The program covers various aspects of math, including addition andsubtraction, multiplication, squaring, memorizing numbers, quick tricks, etc.It is a daunting challenge to learn all of these, but fortunately you canjust concentrate on one procedure at a time.

For example,the good doctor has come up with a remarkable method ofassociating numbers with letters. The benefit of this is that you can nowmemorize words instead of abstract groups of numbers! For instance, you mighthave memorized the date “1492″ as the year of Columbus’ arrival in the NewWorld. Hey, the box office bomb helped us there! But Dr. Benjamin hasdeveloped a technique by which recalling the word “turban” accomplishes thesame thing. The advantage to being able to recall words over numbers isclearly a great one.

There are numerous other “slick tricks” to be had on this CD. The interfaceis a little goofy, but with practice, you can master the “Learning Cube”arrangement.It seems that kids would benefit the most here, but the program is in factaimed at adults. I would heartily recommend that you turn your anklebitersnine and older loose on it, though! Their teachers might insist that theycontinue to learn “old fashioned” math, but the innovative techniquesavailable here will only help.

Give this program a shot. Amaze your friends with your ability to tell themon what day of the week they were born! And quit hating numbers…

School House Scorecard

Product:	MatheMagics
Company:	L3 Interactive 3000 W. Olympic Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90404 USA. Internet: www.L3Interactive.com
Cost:	$39.95

System Requirements:

Windows 3.1 or higher
8 MB of RAM
486 SX33 processor
VGA monitor capable of at least 256 colors
16 bit sound card
Double speed CD-ROM drive
Microsoft compatible mouse

Breakdown:

Ease of Use 3
Learning Value 5
Entertainment Value 4
Graphics 5
Sound 4

Overall Score: