How to Put Numbers in Answers

The following directions assume that the program is running with the default settings in Preferences. The program will Guide Student's Solutions and Show Work in Solution.

When you answer problems in the Practice or Diagnosis activities, a highlighted question mark on the screen shows where to put each number in an answer. You can put numbers in the solution two ways:

• Type the number at the keyboard and that number appears in place of the question mark.
• Use the number bar on the left side of the screen. Move the mouse to place the arrow over a number on the number bar. Click the number you want in the answer. That number appears in place of the question mark in the answer.

The numbers appear on the screen from right to left during addition, subtraction, and multiplication, just as they would when you solve a problem on paper. Numbers appear left to right in division answers.

To remove numbers you have put in the solution, click the arrow icon below the nine on the number bar at the left of the screen. You can also press the Delete key or the Right Arrow key to delete numbers.

To borrow numbers in subtraction you must select the slash (/) on the number bar, or press the slash (/) key on the keyboard. If there is a remainder in a division problem, the "R" for the remainder automatically appears in the answer, and the question mark prompts for the number to follow. If you need lines in division and multiplication, lines automatically appear in appropriate positions in the solution and the question mark prompts for the number to follow.

In the Check Assignment activity you type the numbers in the answers to the problems in your assignment. You type numbers left to right. Type just the numbers in the final answer.

Math Skill Builders also provides other options for how to put numbers in solutions in Diagnosis and Practice. You can change Preferences to choose these options:

• Guided or Non-Guided solutions
• Showing work in the solution or not