Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun vs Hands

"Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun is an outstanding way to encourage students to practice word problems." See the rest of the review at: https://web.archive.org/web/20240605212456/https://bestappsforkids.com/math-galaxy-word-problems-fun/ Math Galaxy Word Problems Fun provides, in a game setting that's like a cross between monopoly and maze searches, a range of problems covering the core of elementary and middle school math: whole number operations fractions decimals multi-step problems ratios & proportions percents negative numbers time length area volume weight angles graphs & tables You and your fellow archaeologists have landed on Prospero's Island in the Mediterranean looking for lost treasure in underground caves and labyrinths. You each start with $25,000. If you collect all the treasures in a cave you get to own it, and can then charge any other player who lands on it a fee of $1000 for each cave that you own (for example, if you own 3 caves, they pay your $3,000). To enter a cave you must provide a secret code to open the cave door, which is the answer to a math problem. An onscreen calculator is provided, since the purpose is to understand the structure of word problems and not get mired in calculations. Because of the danger you are using ground-penetrating radar to guide a remote-controlled robot to dig through the caves. You must get to the treasures and out of the caves before the robot is destroyed by one of the many dangers: falling boulders, ice caverns, underground rivers and tubes left by some ancient civilization. Up to four players can play and the game continues as long as you want - you can set your own criteria for winning, e.g., when a player reaches a certain score - and you can save games. Regarding the complexity of the game, it’s basically like Monopoly. You earn spots on the game board (an island) by solving a maze at each spot and then players who land on your spots pay you. No explicit instructions on how to get to the treasures in a maze and get out are given - figuring out the mazes is part of the challenge.

"Great intro to Algebra!" This Hands-On Equations Level 3 app is intended for students who have already completed Level 1 and 2 of Hands-On Equations and who would like the challenge of more sophisticated equations involving negative numbers. In Level 3, the student solves equations such as 4x – (-4) = -8 and 3(-x) + 2 = -10 + x, which contain negative constants. The green numbered cube, which represents the opposite of the red numbered cube, is introduced at this level. Since the red and green number cubes are opposite of each other, when they are together on the same side of the balance, their value is zero and may therefore be removed without affecting the balance. A video introduction is provided for each lesson. (See the sample YouTube video at http://youtu.be/VFYQ47EAqZw.) Each video introduction is followed by two examples and ten exercises. It is essential for the student to view the lesson video prior to attempting the examples and exercises for that lesson. Hands-On Equations is the ideal introduction to algebra for elementary and middle school students. Not only will students have fun and be fascinated with the program, their sense of self-esteem will be dramatically enhanced as they experience success with sophisticated algebraic equations. High school students struggling with algebra will likely experience success and understanding for the first time as they work with this app. More information on Hands-On Equations can be found at www.borenson.com and on YouTube.