Abstract
A new pencil puzzle, Speed++TM, was developed by combining and adapting the ideas of two popular Japanese pencil puzzles i.e. Kakuro and Numberlink. The novel characteristics of Speed++TM and its advantages are then compared to traditionally composed mental arithmetic questions used in practice and competitions by mental arithmetic associations. In particular, the new puzzles have a dynamic structure which in effect tests visual-spatial skills, memory, and concentration. The puzzles also look more appealing and are easy to produce through computer implemented algorithms. We further describe the potential of this puzzle as a more vibrant mental arithmetic challenge for mental arithmeticians and its viability for educational use in schools and brain training programs similar to Prof. Kawashima’s world famous brain training program.
Keywords
- Pencil Puzzle Search this journal for Pencil Puzzle (opens in a new tab)
- Mental Arithmetic Search this journal for Mental Arithmetic (opens in a new tab)
- Visual-Spatial Search this journal for Visual-Spatial (opens in a new tab)
- Memory Search this journal for Memory (opens in a new tab)
- Concentration Search this journal for Concentration (opens in a new tab)
References
- 7th All India Abacus and Mental Arithmetic National Competition (2007). Retrieved July 19, 2012, from http://www.ucmasindia.com/NationalCompetitionQuestionPaperModel.html
- Dr. Kawashima’s Brain TrainingTM : How old is your brain? (2012). Retrieved July 19, 2012, from http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/games/nds/dr_kawashimas_brain_training_how_old_is _your_brain_3234.html
- Kawashima, R. (2008). Train your brain more: 60 days to an even better brain, London: Penguin Books.
- Kawashima, R. (2005). Train your brain: 60 days to a better brain, North America: Kumon Publishing. Universal Concept Mental Arithmetic System, UCMAS (2012). Retrieved July 19, 2012, from http://www.ucmas.com/index.htm
- WEB Nikoli. (2012). Nikoli puzzles. Retrieved July 19, 2012, from http://www.nikoli.co.jp/en/puzzles/ Wikipedia. (2012). Kakuro. Retrieved July 19, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakuro Wikipedia. (2012). Numberlink. Retrieved July 19, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numberlink
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Copyright (c) 2012 Tiong Kung Ming, Ting Tiew Kiong (Author)
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Keywords
- Pencil Puzzle Search this journal for Pencil Puzzle (opens in a new tab)
- Mental Arithmetic Search this journal for Mental Arithmetic (opens in a new tab)
- Visual-Spatial Search this journal for Visual-Spatial (opens in a new tab)
- Memory Search this journal for Memory (opens in a new tab)
- Concentration Search this journal for Concentration (opens in a new tab)
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