Figure It
By Martin Goldberg


Introduction
------------
Figure It is aimed to give an insight into different sorts of number series.
It explores Prime numbers, Fibonacci Series, Square numbers, Triangle
numbers and multiples of any number up to 100. All this information can be
seen graphically on a number grid - the size of which can be defined by the
user. It is aimed at Key Stages 2, 3 and 4, Attainment Target 5 (Number).

It gives factual information on any individual number; including all of the
above plus the prime factors of the number, whether it is odd or even and
whether it is perfect. All of these terms are explained within the program.

All this information can be saved in a variety of ways by the user for
inclusion in further investigations.

To encourage children with multiplication tables and understanding the
concept of factors and multiples there is a game of 'connect 4' that is      played on a 10x10 grid.


Screen Layout
-------------
After starting the program by double-clicking on the program's icon there
will be a brief start-up screen followed by the main screen layout. The
screen is divided into three main sections. On the left of the screen is the
current menu, which is displayed as a set of icons. The middle of the screen
is the current number grid. At the bottom of the screen is an information    bar, showing the current status of the program.

The initial size of the grid is 10x10, with numbers running from 1 to 100.
This can be altered at any time during the program.

The menu system is very straight forward. Each menu has a name which is
displayed in the information bar at the bottom of the screen. The menu's and
their associated sub-menus are described below. You may move back to the
previous menu at any time, by clicking on the "" icon at the bottom of each
menu.

In order to move around the number grid at any time you can simply click on
the "" and "" icons at the side of the grid. To make a number the current
one, simply click on the number on the grid.


The Menus
---------
There is one main menu which leads to various sub-menus, in order to control
the program. The menu options are described below in the order they appear
on the screen.

GRID 
This option allows the pupil or teacher to alter various aspects of the
current grid. The first 2 options allows the user to change the width and
height of the grid respectively. The 3rd icon allows the user to 'jump' to
a specific number on the grid, making that number the current one. This can
save a lot of time moving around the grid with the arrow keys. The final
option clears the displayed grid of all markers and multiples. It does not
effect the current size of the grid.

NUMBER SERIES 
This allows you to display various different kinds of number series on the
grid. These can be displayed concurrently or separately and are all toggled
on or off by clicking on the respective icon.

The series that can be displayed include: Fibonacci, Prime, Square and
Triangular numbers. A small coloured mark will be displayed on the grid next
to any numbers that are in the series.

Multiples of any number (2-99) can also be displayed by clicking the (X's)
icon. These are shown as blue numbers and are toggled on or off in a similar
way to above.

HELP
Clicking on any of these icons explains the various mathematical terms that
are used within the program. Just experiment to see what information is
given.

GAMES
See the Game of Fours below for more details.


Save to disc
------------
This is a very flexible option that allows the information within the program
to be saved to disc. The information is saved to the same directory as where
the program was loaded from. Therefore, if you are not using a hard disc, the
floppy disc that contained the "!FigureIt" application must be present in the
drive to avoid any errors.

The information saved is for a specific range of numbers. The default range
is 1 to 100. This can be changed at any time, the biggest range is 1 to 1000.
The range chosen is independent from that displayed on the grid. 

For example if the range is set at 50-300 and the SQUARE numbers icon is
clicked, all the square numbers that lie within this range, along with
general information about each number, will be saved.

In order to save general information on ALL the numbers in the current range,
choose the INFORMATION icon (i). The facts saved are equivalent to what
appears in the status box for individual numbers.... see below.

The actual grid (with all its current settings) can be saved as a drawfile. 
This is very useful to prepare worksheets or just to display the pupils 
investigation. The other information is saved as a standard text file.


General information 
-------------------
The information given includes a list of the factors and prime factors of the
number; plus whether the number is: Even, Odd, Prime, Square, Triangle or 
Perfect.


Desktop
-------
Click on this to return to the desktop. You are asked to confirm your
request.


The Game of Fours
-----------------
After clicking on the dice, you can select whether to play the computer or 
another human player. Once this is done you will be presented with a new
menu, showing the 4 different levels of the game. Select a level according to
ability:

Level 1: Multiples of 2,3,4,5 and 10
Level 2: Multiples of 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12
Level 3: As above, but including square numbers
Level 4: As level 3 with the addition of prime numbers 

Each player takes it in turn to have their go. If you have opted to play
against the computer, it will always go second. The object of the game is to
place four counters in a row, either horizontally, diagonally or vertically. 

On each go you are asked a question. Once you know the answer simply click
the number on the grid. If you are correct a coloured counter will appear. A
wrong answer has no effect, simply keep trying until you are right.

The strategy is simply to prevent your opponent getting a line of four,
whilst trying to make your own line of four. The computer plays fairly
intelligently, but due to the element of chance in the game, anyone can win! 

You can quit the game at any time by clicking on the "" icon. Note the
game's position is not saved; therefore, if you return to the game later on
you will have to start from the beginning.
