Previous Next

These five programs are designed as aids for A-level and university maths students, researchers and scientists - for whom their titles will be self-explanatory.

They are not intended as teaching programs, and some knowledge of the mathematical computations they deal with will be needed in order to use them.

As well as knowing their subject, users will also need to know something about computing - a working knowledge of the computer keyboard is assumed.

Written in Basic, the programs are mainly direct conversions from a range originally written for the ZX81. Some colour is used, but from cassette insert to screen display this is essentially functional, academic software.

Having said that, the screen displays are clear, simple and easily read.

My maths teacher friend Jim was impressed with the programs, and thought they would be useful problem-solving tools for his O- and A-level classes - now all he has to do is persuade his school to buy a Spectrum.

Packaged with books to teach the subjects they cover, these programs could potentially be used for teaching.

But they would need better screen prompts - the prompts are clear enough, but not very userfriendly. Though the programs do not crash if incorrect input is entered, neither do they give any help in telling users where they are going wrong.

R.E.