HyperAlgebra - A HyperCard Stack which generates random tests from a databank of problems on adding/subtracting, multiplying, and factoring algebraic expressions. It uses a HyperCard XFCN by Chris Rogers and Doug Stein that uses MathLink¨ to communicate with Mathematica¨. Stacks by Carol and Donald Hazlewood MathLink¨ XFCN by Chris Rogers and Doug Stein Inspired by HyperMathLink, a HyperCard Stack written by Doug Stein and John Bonadies. ©1993 Redwood Software Permission granted to distribute these files freely provided this notice and all comments stay intact. Version 1.0 (28 May 1993) --------------------------- HYPERALGEBRA TEST GENERATOR HyperAlgebra, by clicking on a button, generates an algebra test of 10 problems in the appropriate area by randomly selecting problems from a databank of problems, allows the user to enter an answer to the problem, and checks to see if the entered answer is correct. If not, a hint is offered as to what might be incorrect and requests the user to try again. If the correct answer is not entered in 3 tries, an offer is made to give the correct solution and the user can then go to the next problem. On completion, a score is tabulated, with 10 points awarded if a problem is corrected answered on the first try, x points if answered on the second try, y points if answered on the third try, and 0 points if missed three times. This score with the users name, the time elapsed, and the particular problems selected randomly from the databank is recorded in a stack in the Resources folder, "Scores." HyperAlgebra uses Mathematica¨ via the MathLink XFCN by Chris Rogers and Doug Stein for the appropriate algebraic manipulations. This means that when you start a HyperAlgebra test, Mathematica¨ is automatically launched. GETTING STARTED The HyperAlgebra window has three buttons, currently, for generating tests on adding/subtracting, multiplying, and factoring algebraic expressions. The user can enter a solution by clicking buttons or directly typing in entry field of the test stack. A Mathematica Kernel is launched initially by using either the "Link to Mathematica¨" button or the "Check" button. TECHNICAL NOTES HyperAlgebra uses an XFCN by Chris Rogers and Doug Stein that in turn uses the MathLink¨ protocol to talk to a Mathematica Kernel. By editing the script for the "Link to Mathematica¨" button, you can make this stack communicate with a Mathematica Kernel running on another Macintosh (or even another brand of computer)! The folder "Local" contains a Mathematica¨ package "1311.m" that defines two functions "CompareSolution" and "CompareFactors" when a Mathematica Kernel is activated. PACKING LIST About HyperAlgebra - this document HyperAlgebra - a HyperCard Stack Local - a Macintosh folder containing: 1311.m - a Mathematica¨ package defining the functions "CompareSolution" and "CompareFactors" used by the .test Stacks Resources - a Macintosh folder containing: Add_Subtract.test - a HyperCard Stack generating the add/subtract test Factor.test - a HyperCard Stack generating the factor test Multiply.test - a HyperCard Stack generating the multiply test Scores - a HyperCard Stack which collects scores on the various tests ExpBuilder - a HyperCard Stack used by the .test Stacks Frac2Builder - a HyperCard Stack used by the .test Stacks VarChoice - a HyperCard Stack used by the .test Stacks Data - a Macintosh folder containing: Add_Subtract.data - a MicroSoft Word¨ document with test data Factor.data - a MicroSoft Word¨ document with test data Multiply.data - a MicroSoft Word¨ document with test data