Calculators

Using a calculator to support the learning of mathematics is no longer a debatable topic - there is no reason not to use one. Once a student fully understands a basic skill, there is little reason to exercise that skill by hand if it can be easily done on a calculator. Many of the problems in the REAL Mathematics™ series can be more successfully completed with the use of a calculator.

Programming and BASIC

There are many programming languages available today. Most of them are general-purpose languages, and each has advantages not provided by the others. BASIC was created in 1964 and was notable for being very easy to learn. That advantage remains important today. It's not the best language for graphics and it's not the best language for artificial intelligence, but it's an excellent choice for those not yet familiar with programming.

The programming examples in the first two books of the REAL Mathematics™ series are written in the BASIC programming language. The programs have been written for clarity and compatibility with different versions of BASIC. All could be written more efficiently if efficiency were the objective.

If you are already using C, C++, or another general-purpose language, don't change. The programming examples are straightforward programs that you can readily convert to the language of your choice.

For Microsoft® Windows® Users

The sample programs in Geometric Delight have all been written using Liberty BASIC. Complete information about Liberty BASIC is available at the company Web site, www.libertybasic.com. A free sample of the program is available at the site, and the cost of a registered, unrestricted version is about $30. This is an excellent version of BASIC whose use is recommended if you aren't already using another version.

A few graphics programs in Geometric Delight have been written using Microsoft QuickBASIC ® Version 4.5. This program is available as a free download from several different Web sites. These sites can be quickly located using your online search engine.

With just one change, the sample programs in Number Wonder will all run using True BASIC®. Complete information about True BASIC® is available at the company Web site, www.truebasic.com. A free sample of the program is available at the site, and the cost of a registered, unrestricted version is about $40. This is a well-established, solid version of BASIC that is recommended for use on the Mac.

The one change that must be made to the sample programs when using True BASIC® is that the looping commands, WHILE and WEND, must be written as DO WHILE and LOOP. All other commands remain unchanged.

The programs written using Microsoft QuickBASIC can not be easily translated into True BASIC. If a translation is desired, your use of C or C++ is suggested.