Maths 1 is the first in a four-part educational series which Continental claims will "take the student to GCE O-Level standard at a pace tailored to individual needs". The program contains seven sections: each consists of displays of text and simple graphics, and a set of multiple-choice questions. The sections are entitled Fractions, Percentages, Decimals, Sets, Venn Diagrams, Sets of Numbers and Number Bases.

You can step between pages by pressing single keys. The keys recognised at any point appear at screen bottom. An index facility allows you to search for a specific word, and two pages of Help belatedly explain the significance of the key characters at the bottom of each display.

Graphics are disappointing. Two trivial animated displays illustrate the division of a block into three and the operation of compound interest. There are also a few static pictures of Venn diagrams.

The entire contents of Maths 1 would fit comfortably into a 40-page booklet, which would be considerably more useful, and I doubt anyone would dare charge £10 for it. As it stands, Maths 1 is nothing more than an attempt to take advantage of the gullibility of parents.

S.N.G.