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MTHSHOP2.DOC
MATH-SHOP 2
(Fractions)
Copyright 1991,1993
by
Jack C Webb
P.O. Box 357
Grand Blanc, Michigan 48439-0357
All Rights Reserved
Table of Contents
Introduction
System requirements .............................. 1
Disclaimer ....................................... 1
Registration ..................................... 1
Shareware ........................................ 1
Getting started .................................... 2
Menu system
Worksheets ....................................... 3
Files ............................................ 5
Utilitys ......................................... 5
Headers ............................................ 6
Editing keys ....................................... 7
Printers
Printer basics ................................... 7
Installing printers .............................. 8
Printer requirements ............................. 9
Custom printer .................................. 10
Printing to a file ................................ 11
Range selection ................................... 12
Problem selection ................................. 12
Number selection .................................. 13
INTRODUCTION
------------
MATH-SHOP 2 (Fractions) - The ultimate worksheet generator.
The program is menu driven and very easy to use. Problems can be
generated in addition, subtraction, multiplication, division or a
mixture. The worksheets can be customized by the user to produce
virtually any layout required. You can select the number of digits,
the range of numbers used for the digits, the number of problems
on a page and much more. Worksheets can be printed to a printer
or to a file. Worksheet layouts can be stored and recalled later
to print additional worksheets. Answers can be printed.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
-------------------
IBM compatible PC,XT or AT
256K min. memory
Any display adapter
1 floppy drive and/or hard drive
DISCLAIMER
----------
This program is provided "as-is" without warranty of any kind either
expressed or implied, including any warranties of merchantability
and/or fitness for a particular purpose. No liability shall be assumed
for any damages whether direct, incidental or consequential from a
failure of this program to operate in the manner desired by the user.
REGISTRATION
------------
MATH-SHOP 2 is a shareware program and you are encouraged to try it
out and make copies for friends. If you like the program and continue
to use it, you are requested to register your copy. A registration form
is included in the file REGISTER.DOC. You can print the form by typing
REGISTER at the DOS prompt.
SHAREWARE
---------
Shareware distribution is subject to the following conditions.
MATH-SHOP 2 must be distributed in unmodified form, including all
files on this disk.
MATH-SHOP 2 may not be distributed with any other product without
prior written permission.
No fee other than a disk distribution fee not to exceed $5.00 may
be charged for MATH-SHOP 2.
1
GETTING STARTED
---------------
You should have the following files on your shareware disk.
Support files:
1. NEW-USER.BAT - run for beginner tips
2. PRINTDOC.BAT - run to print this file
3. INSTALLH.BAT - run to install program on hard drive
4. REGISTER.BAT - run to print registration form
5. REGISTER.DOC - file containing registration form
6. MTHSHOP2.DOC - file containing documentation
Program files:
7. MTHSHOP2.EXE - the main program
8. MTHSHOP2.DAT - file in which saved formats are stored
9. MTHSHOP2.HLP - file containing text for help menu
10. MTHSHOP2.PDB - file containing control codes for
printer drivers
11. MTHSHOP2.PRN - file containing control codes for
installed printer
12. MTHSHOP2.PRC - file containing control codes for
custom printer
13. MTHSHOP2.HDR - file containing the headers
To run any of the files with the .BAT extension just type the
file name followed by the Enter key at the dos prompt. For
example NEW-USER <Enter>.
To run the MATH-SHOP program type in MTHSHOP2 <Enter>.
Not all the files above are necessary to run the program.
Numbers 7, 9 and 10 are all that have to be available when
the program is started. Files 8, 11, 12, and 13 will be created
by the program as needed.
2
MENU SYSTEM
-----------
MATH-SHOP 2 is a menu driven program. By just following the prompts
you should be able to run the program with no problems. The following
documentation will supplement the program menu help information.
[Worksheets]
:
--------
| Create | - allows worksheets to be created.
--------
:
-----------------
| Addition | Select type of problem for worksheet
| Subtraction |
| Multiplication |
| Division |
| Variety |
| Comparison |
| Reduction |
-----------------
:
-----------
| | ---- Numbers ---
| dd dd |......| Odd and Even | Select number of digits and
| -- + -- | | Even only | if to use even numbers only
| dd dd | ----------------
| | :
----------- :
:
:
------(Number ranges)----
| min max min max |
| 01 - 99 01 - 99 | Select ranges for numbers
| ------- + ------- |
| 01 - 99 01 - 99 |
| Unique problems: > 100 |
-------------------------
In previous versions the min and max had to have the same number
of digits such as 10-99. In this version the range selection has
been expanded to allow ranges such as 01-99. This will allow
problems on the same worksheet to have different size numbers.
These menus allow the selection of the range of numbers to be used.
The program may not allow you to select certain ranges if they will
not generate problems. For example the program does not allow negative
answers in subtraction and therefore will not permit ranges that would
only have problems with negative answers.
For all problems the program will indicate the number of unique
problems that are possible with the selected ranges. If there are
more than 100 the program will indicate >100
3
|
----------------------
| -- ---- |
| | This menu requests the number of problems
| + + + + + + | vertically and horizontally that you want
| + + + + + + | to display on the worksheet. If the total
| + + + + + + | number of problems requested is less than
| + + + + + + | or equal to the number of unique possible
| + + + + + + | then you will not have duplicates on the
| + + + + + + | worksheet. If the number requested
| + + + + + + | (NPH * NPV) is greater than the number
| + + + + + + | of unique then all the unique + random
| + + + + + + | duplicates will be put on each page.
| |
---------(54)---------
<F10> to save format - this allows you to save the worksheet
created with a 20 character name.
These saved formats can be accessed with
the Recall menu to be discussed later.
(see editing keys in Header section). You
can store up to 100 formats.
<Enter> - continue on and print the worksheets.
[Worksheets]
|
----------
| Recall |
----------
|
--Formats--
| |
| Print List| - Allows you to print a list of the stored formats
-----------
--Formats--
| View List | - View displays on screen a list of the stored formats
| | these can be scrolled thru and one can be selected with
----------- the <Enter> key. This will bring up the Format menu.
|
--Format---
| View | - Allows the selected format to be viewed
| Locate | - Search for a particular format
| Rename | - Allows the selected format to be renamed
| Delete | - Allows the selected format to be deleted
|---List----|
| Count | - display the number of saved formats (max of 100)
| Sort | - sort formats by name or type
-----------
|
--Sort by--
| Name | - The list of formats can be sorted by name or
| Type | type (e.g. A-addition, etc.)
-----------
4
[Files]
|
--------
| Load | ---File type----
| Backup |--| Format | - file with saved formats
| Delete | | Header | - file with saved header
-------- | Custom printer | - file with saved custom printer codes
----------------
| User selected | - input any file name
----------------
This menu allows the files which contain the stored information
(MTHSHOP2.DAT- formats, MTHSHOP2.HDR - header, MTHSHOP2.PRC - printer)
to be loaded or backed up to a separate disk. IF the program is run
on a hard drive then the files will be in the same directory as the
program. The files can be saved by using the Backup menu option
which will store the selected file to a floppy drive. The Load menu
item allows you to copy your data from a floppy disk to the hard
drive. Doing this will overwrite the file on the hard drive and any
information in the hard disk file will be lost. This allows several
people to access the program on the computer using their own data
files kept on individual floppy disks. The delete is included in case
the files become corrupted and unusable. In this case they should be
deleted and loaded from your backup disk or recreated.
If the program is run off a floppy disk then the files will be
stored on the same disk.
[Utilitys]
|
----------------------
| Headers | - Text printed at top of worksheet
| Calendar | - Displays a calendar for a user selected date
| Printer | - Menu of functions for installed printer
|----------------------|
| Install printer | - List of printers available
| Edit custom printer | - Create a custom printer driver
----------------------
5
HEADERS:
This option allows a line of text to be created or edited.
This text will then be printed at the top of each worksheet
along with the number key (e.g. ###-1 which is a three digit
random number + the page number). The number key is used to
identify the answer sheets. To print without a header (only
the number key) make a `Blank header' the active one.
Up to 20 headers can be stored. These can then be scrolled
and any selected to be active (the active one will be printed).
Up-Dn arrows - scroll thru the stored headers one at a time
F1 - will place the date function at the left end
F2 - will place the date function at the right end
The date function indicated by @Date----| is a place holder
for the date which will be printed in the header. The date
will be your computer date. The format is 11-04-1992. The
function reserves the 10 spaces that the date will require.
The date function will delete all text when placed in the
header so it should be put in first and then your text.
F3 - will print the currently displayed header. Use this to
check how a header will print while creating or editing.
F4 - erase all headers. This will erase all the headers in
the file. Can also be performed by deleting the header
file under the menu item [Files].
F5 - make header active. The header that is in the number one
position is the ACTIVE HEADER. This header will be printed
at the top of each worksheet. To make one of the other
headers the active one scroll until it is displayed on the
screen and then press F5. This header will be swapped with
the active one.
Enter - When creating or editing a header you must press Enter
to make the changes permanent.
Escape - This will exit the current operation without saving any
changes since the last Enter.
As you create each new header a blank one (Blank header) will
be added to the bottom of the list up to the maximum of 20.
Once created any header can be changed using the editing keys.
6
EDITING KEYS:
These are the keys used for creating or editing format names,
file names, headers and the custom printer codes. They operate
much like a simplified word processor.
Left & right arrow - move cursor in name
Del - delete item under cursor
BackSpace - delete item to left of cursor
Crtl-BackSpace - delete entire name
Home - move cursor to start of name
End - move cursor to end of name
Esc - exit
Enter - save
PRINTER BASICS:
Your printer has many options available such as fonts, quality
of print (LQ, draft, bold), margins, etc. Typically just about
every feature of a page can be changed. A printer has what are
called defaults which are the settings used when the printer is
turned on. Some of these defaults can be changed using physical
switches located on your printer. Some can also be changed using
front panel controls such as pushbuttons. The third way to change
defaults is sending special commands to your printer by using
a program.
If programs that you run have special printer requirements they
will usually send the commands automatically before printing.
Normally you select what printer you will be using when the
program is installed or by a setup utility. Then at print time
the program will send codes to the printer to change defaults
and select the features it needs.
If you look in your printer manual in the appendix you will
find these codes. They will be called control or command codes.
Usually they will list a function such as Form Feed and the codes
in three formats; ASCII, Decimal and Hexidecimal. The decimal
codes for form feed are 27 12. If these codes are sent to your
printer it will execute a form feed the same as if you had pushed
form feed on the control panel.
However once the printer is turned off or reset the features are
returned to their default values until changed again manually or
by a program.
7
INSTALLING PRINTERS:
This program has installable printer drivers. What do these do?
As discussed in PRINTER BASICS, programs have to send codes to
a printer to change any defaults that are necessary for the
program to operate properly. MATH-SHOP uses the full page for
printing the problems. LaserJets and PaintJets have a non-zero
top and bottom margin which interferes with the printing and
causes the worksheets to print shifted down on the page. Codes
to correct this have to be sent to the printer each time the
worksheets are printed (codes are reset when the printer is
shut off). When a printer is installed it becomes the active
printer. The printer name and its functions will be displayed
when [Utilitys:Printer] is selected or when <M> is selected
at the print DESTINATION menu. When these lists of functions
are displayed the codes for that function will be sent to
the printer if selected.
The most important use for the installed driver is to send
codes automatically to the printer at print time. Each
printer driver has a function called <Set Page>. The codes
contained in this function are sent automatically. This
allows the printer to be set up correctly before each
worksheet is printed. (For example to correct the LaserJet
margin problem).
The list of printers has a custom option. Selecting this
installs the printer driver created under [Utilitys:Edit
custom printer]. If you have special requirements you can
create your own printer driver to send codes at print time.
See CUSTOM PRINTER.
If you have strange characters printing in the top left corner
of the first worksheet it means the <Set Page> codes are not
correct for your printer and it is printing these codes rather
than using them as control codes. If this happens you can
change drivers, Install <None> (no codes are sent) or use the
[Utilitys:Edit custom printer] option to define your own codes.
8
PRINTER REQUIREMENTS:
This program uses a line spacing of 6 lines per inch (lpi) -
66 lines per page with no top or bottom margins. The horizontal
spacing is based on using a font with 10 characters per inch.
Most printers should have these as the default.
DOT MATRIX:
The program should print correctly on Epson or compatibles with no
installed printer driver. The printer drivers can be used to access
features such as LQ or bold when printing. The function labeled
[Set Page] will be sent automatically when worksheets are printed
The codes sent with this function are used to set the Printer
requirements listed above. If your printer is not listed install
the Epson driver and set your printer to emulate Epson.
LASERJET AND PAINTJET OR COMPATIBLES:
These two printers have a non-zero top and bottom margin so
the printer drivers WILL HAVE TO BE INSTALLED (select the
appropiate driver under [Utilitys:Install printer]. These
drivers will automatically send correcting codes at print time
For the division sign the printer must use the PC-8 symbol
set or an equivalent one. The divide symbol must be at
decimal location 246. As mentioned above, the codes will be
sent at print time (if the printer is installed) to select
the PC-8 symbol set. If your printer does not have this
symbol set the division sign will print as a minus sign.
If you wish to send other codes automatically at print time there
are two techniques you can use:
1. Use the custom printer option (see CUSTOM PRINTER).
2. Edit the text file MTHSHOP2.PDB - If your an experienced user
and have a text editor you can change the codes in this file
to whatever you want. You can modify an existing driver or
even add a complete new driver to the file. Just be sure to
follow the same format. As a precaution be sure you have a
BACKUP COPY of this file before you modify it. Remember codes
included with the Set Page function name will be sent
automatically at print time. You can combine codes, so for
example you could use it to turn on NLQ and Bold, etc. The
first letter of each function must be unique to allow first
letter selection. Also, only the decimal form of the code will
be accepted. These are listed in your printer manual.
9
CUSTOM PRINTER:
The [Utilitys:Edit custom printer] option will allow you to
create or edit your own printer driver. You will first be
asked for a printer name (if none exists) and then up to
10 printer functions. The function names can be up to 15
characters and each should start with a different letter.
The control codes have to be in decimal format and separated
by commas. As you add each new printer function a blank one
will be added to the end of the list. If you create a <Set Page>
function its codes will be sent automatically when printing
worksheets. This allows you to set up your printer for any
special functions like NLQ, etc. The custom driver will have to
be installed like the other printer drivers before use. Select
[Utilitys:Install printer:Custom]. Once created this driver is
stored in the file MTHSHOP2.PRC and will remain until changed
or deleted.
Example printer codes:
The LaserJet <Set Page> function has the typical codes
27,38,108,69,27,38,97,82,27,38,108,54,68,27,38,108,54,54,70
------------ ----------- --------------- ------------------
1 2 3 4
1. set top margin to zero
2. set vertical position to zero
3. set 6 lines per inch
4. set 66 lines on the page
10
PRINTING TO A FILE:
Just before printing you will have the option to print to a file.
This operates like printing to a printer except the worksheets
are placed in a file on a disk instead of on paper. If you looked
at the file with a text editor the worksheets would appear the same
as paper copies. The question is why would you want to do this?
Once the worksheets are saved in the file they can be printed
without using MATH-SHOP and you can print as many copies of the
same worksheet as you want. Using a text editor you can alter
anything on the worksheet including the problems. However the
answers would have to be changed to agree with the new problems.
Lets run through a example to demonstrate the procedure. Suppose
you've created (or recalled) a worksheet to be printed. At print
time you will see a menu that says <F> - to file. Press the letter
F to select this option. You will be asked for a file name where
you want the worksheets stored. You can enter a path here also
otherwise the worksheet file will be stored on the same drive and
in the same directory as the program. Lets store the worksheet on
drive A: and in file named ADDITION.1ST. To do this change the name
in the text line to A:ADDITION.1ST and hit enter. If the file exists
you will asked whether to overwrite it or not. If you overwrite the
file everything in it will be lost. If the file does not exist or
you select Yes to overwrite the file the program will write the
worksheets to ADDITION.1ST on drive A:. You will then be prompted
to print the answers to the file. Once this step is complete you
will have a floppy disk with a file named ADDITION.1ST on it. This
disk can then be taken to any dos computer and the worksheets printed
by typing the following at the Dos prompt.
COPY A:ADDITION.1ST PRN Disk in A drive
COPY B:ADDITION.1ST PRN Disk in B drive
One important item in printing to a file is printer codes. As dis-
cussed in PRINTER REQUIREMENTS, LaserJets and PaintJets require
codes to be sent at print time to correct the margins. How do
these codes get sent when printing from a file. When the work-
sheets are printed to a file the same correcting codes (Set Page
function) which are normally sent to the printer are placed in
the file in the top left corner. When the worksheets are printed
using the COPY command these codes are sent to the printer.
Therefore you should install the printer that you will be printing
on before printing to the file. This will probably not matter if
you use a dot matrix printer. If you do have the wrong printer
installed and then print, the only effect is that you may get
funny characters in the top left corner of the 1st worksheet.
11
RANGE SELECTION:
One big difference from previous versions is that the number
of digits can vary on the same worksheet. Previous versions
could have either one or two digit numbers but not both
together. Now when you select the number of digits you are
selecting the digits for the range maximum. Review the
following examples: (assume odd and even numbers selected)
One Digit: (d) Possible numbers
1 - 9 default : 1 thru 9
1 - 5 : 1 thru 5
8 - 8 : only 8
Two digit: (dd)
01 - 99 default : 1 thru 99
10 - 99 : 10 thru 99
01 - 09 : 1 thru 9 (same as 1 digit default)
01 - 25 : 1 thru 25
25 - 25 : only 25
PROBLEM SELECTION:
For all problems the program calculates the number of unique
problems that are possible with the ranges selected and the
type of problem. The program should not allow any duplicate
problems on a page unless it is forced to by requesting more
on a page than there are unique available. The program will
fill the page with problems based on how many unique there are
as follows:
requested < unique : each page has random selection from unique
requested = unique : each page has all unique in random order
requested > unique : each page has all unique + random duplicates
If there are less than 100 unique problems available the program
determines all 100 unique and then randomly selects from these
problems to fill the page. If there are more than 100 unique the
program picks the numbers for each digit in the problem randomly
in the selected ranges. The problems are then checked for dup-
licates and any repeats are reselected.
12
NUMBER SELECTION:
The main thing that determines what numbers are selected is
the range settings. You can also select <even numbers only>
which will limit the numbers to the even ones in the ranges
selected. The ranges are modified if the range minimum and
maximum are odd numbers. Stored formats will have these trimmed
ranges. For example:
Selected range 23 - 71
Stored range 24 - 70 (if select even only)
Subtraction problems are not used which have negative answers.
If you select ranges which would only give negative answers the
program will give a message and request new ranges. For all
subtraction problems the ranges are modified if possible to
eliminate any numbers which cannot have positive answers. Stored
formats will have these modified ranges.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
13
REGISTER.DOC
REGISTRATION / ORDER FORM
MATH-SHOP 1 (whole #'s)
MATH-SHOP 2 (fractions)
MATH-SHOP 3 (decimals)
Jack C Webb
P.O. Box 357
Grand Blanc, Michigan 48439-0357
Item Quantity Version Price Extension
------------------------------------------------------------------
INDIVIDUAL REGISTER/ORDER
MATH-SHOP 1 ___ ___ $10.00 $_________
MATH-SHOP 2 ___ ___ $10.00 $_________
MATH-SHOP 3 ___ ___ $10.00 $_________
Any two ___ $15.00 $_________
All three ___ $20.00 $_________
SCHOOL / INSTITUTION
REGISTER/ORDER PER SITE
MATH-SHOP 1 ___ ___ $25.00 $_________
MATH-SHOP 2 ___ ___ $25.00 $_________
MATH-SHOP 3 ___ ___ $25.00 $_________
Any two ___ $35.00 $_________
All three ___ $50.00 $_________
If ordering please indicate
disk size and include $1.50 P & H $_________
for postage & handling
(for each set of 1 to 3 disks) Total $_________
Disk size: ___ 5.25 ___ 3.5
Please indicate above the versions you currently have.
Please make checks payable to: Jack C Webb
Registrant Name________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________
Address________________________________________________________
City_______________________________State___________Zip_________
Phone (______)_____________________________
From what catalog was program obtained ___________________________
Directory of PC-SIG Library Disk #4054
Volume in drive A has no label
Directory of A:\
INSTALLH BAT 2225 4-18-93 7:12p
NEW-USER BAT 585 4-19-93 6:36a
PRINTDOC BAT 484 4-19-93 6:29a
REGISTER BAT 475 8-28-92 9:36p
MTHSHOP2 DAT 497 5-12-93 5:38p
MTHSHOP2 DOC 30860 4-19-93 6:29a
REGISTER DOC 2219 9-17-92 6:00a
MTHSHOP2 EXE 225438 5-22-93 7:18p
MTHSHOP2 HDR 350 4-29-93 7:58p
MTHSHOP2 HLP 17436 5-22-93 7:10p
MTHSHOP2 PDB 1439 4-04-93 10:37a
MTHSHOP2 PRC 210 4-18-93 12:03p
MTHSHOP2 PRN 6 5-21-93 5:24p
GO BAT 11 9-10-93 10:08a
14 file(s) 282235 bytes
29696 bytes free