Build creative equations while practicing math facts
About
6 cards are dealt face up. Players use addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division to make some
or all of the first 5 cards equal the value of the sixth card. Parenthesis are available if needed. The
scoring system encourages the use of as many number cards as possible. Multiplication and division
operations earn additional points. After finding a solution, a "hidden" background picture is displayed.
This software behaves just like the card game it is based on with an
additional advantage of assuring all problems have a solution. When playing with an actual deck of cards,
once in a while there will be no way to solve for the target card.
I encourage students in my class (8-10 year olds) to try and match the
target number using all 5 cards.
While this is not always possible it helps develop several number manipulation strategies. To further
entice students along this line, a 200 point bonus is awarded for using all 5 cards and a visual record
of the number of times this bonus has been achieved is recorded on the screen. (This makes it easy for
me to look and see who has earned a sticker.)
The desktop version of this app was originally called "Number String" (and legacy versions may be
found
below.) The name change is because the Macintosh and Windows desktop applications now match our terrific
mobile app!
Free: There are no in-app purchases or advertisment banners.
Screen Shots
Video
Downloads
System Requirements
iOS 9.3 or later
For iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad
Android 5.1 (Lollipop) or later
MacOS 10.9 (Mavericks) or later The earlier Macintosh version of This=That (called
"Number String") ran on PPC or Intel and required MacOS 10.3 or greater. The Legacy Macintosh version
(1.0.6 was a FAT build for both PPC and 68k machines) and worked with systems 7.6 - 9.2, required at
least 6 MB of free application memory and 640 x 480 or greater screen resolution. See
below for download links.
Windows 7 or later
History
version 1.3 September 2020 iOS /
Android / Macintosh / Windows
Added some additional pictures including a new category by artist Leslie Ward. Drop
zones now require less precision (easier to use) and all problems are now guaranteed to have a solution.
Due largely to the fact that this version is (at last) dynamically adaptive to most screen sizes and
aspect ratios, it marks the first version to support Android.
version 1.2.4 August 2019 - functionally the same as version 1.2.3 but
compiled for Mac as 64 bit and Windows as 32-bit - code signed
version 1.2.3 December 2016 - Additional pictures including Claude
Monet. Background pictures are now viewable without UI obstructions. Bug fixes.
Mobile version
version 1.2.2 September 2016 - support for iOS 10
version 1.2.1 February 2015 - 27 additional pictures. Improved support
for iOS 8, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
version 1.2 February 2014 - added an option allowing the equal sign to appear
on either side
version 1.1 October 2012 - support for iPhone5
version 1.0 August 2012
Desktop version for Macintosh and Windows
version 1.2.3 (This=That) Desktop version now matches the mobile version.
version 1.5.3 October 2010 - (Number String) Added a preference for displaying an equal sign on the left. Corrected a cosmetic discrepancy.
version 1.5 October 2009 - (Number String) New cosmetic skin. Added an optional timer. Added a scoring bonus for using all 5 cards.
version 1.1 April 2009 - (Number String) Added a variety of number-card styles.
version 1.0.6 April 2006 - (Number String) Solving a problem now results in manipulative objects being locked until a new problem is begun. Last version for Classic Mac. (see Legacy Macintosh below)
version 1.0.5 April 2005 - (Number String) Assorted bug fixes.
version 1.0.4 March 2005 - (Number String) First public release.