<b><font size="14">MathSheetGenerator - Help</font></b>

<b>Contents</b>
- Overview
- Menus
- User Options
- Preferences
- Examples


<b>Overview</b>

MathSheetGenerator is a simple utility for educators and parents to automatically create sheets of simple math exercises for elementary school children.

MathSheetGenerator is capable of generating math problems with two operands using any of the standard operators (add, subtract, multiply, divide). The number range for both operands as well as the result can be specified to allow the application to generate the exact type of exercises desired.


<b>Menus</b>

<i><b>File</b></i>
<i>Load Settings...</i>
Load previously saved settings from disk.

<i>Save Settings...</i>
Save the current settings to disk.

<i>Page Setup...</i> 
Shows the page setup dialog settings such as paper sizes, page orientation, and printer selection can be adjusted. Any setting changes made via this dialog are reflected in the <i>Preview</i> field.

<i>Print...</i>
Shows the print dialog.


<b>User Options</b>

<i><b>Math Settings</b></i>

<i>Operator(s)</i>
Use the popup menu to select the operator(s) to be used for the math problems.

<i>Min, Max</i>
Use the text fields to adjust the number ranges for the two operands and the result.

NOTE: The numbers for Min and Max are limited to 32-bit integer values, i.e. -2,147,483,648 to 2,147,483,647.

<i>Result</i>
If unchecked, the min and max limits for the result are automatically calculated.

<i>Refresh Example</i>
When making adjustments to the settings above, the example field will automatically show an example problem using the current settings. Click this button to generate additional examples.

NOTE: If any examples are colored red, then at least one of the numbers in the problems violates the specified numeric limits. This means that requirements on the numeric ranges of the operands and/or the result may be too strict and should be relaxed. As an alternative, uncheck the <i>Results</i> check box to automatically calculate the limits for the result.


<i><b>Print Settings</b></i>

<i>Preview</i>
This field shows a preview of a math sheet using the current print and math settings.

<i>Include Name Field</i>
This specifies whether or not a name field should be added at the top of each sheet.

<i>Include Page Numbers</i>
This specifies whether or not the current page number should be printed at the bottom of each sheet.

<i>Columns per Sheet</i>
This specifies the number of columns to be printed on each sheet. The font size is automatically determined to optimally fit the specified number of columns. The number of rows to be printed is determined automatically. The maximum number of columns is 9.

<i>No. of Sheets</i>
This specifies how many sheets should be generated automatically. The maximum number of sheets is 99. 

<i>Inlcude Solutions</i>
This specifies whether or not an additional sheet with solutions should be printed for each automatically generated sheet of math problems.

NOTE: Including solutions will result in twice as many sheets being printed, i.e. for each generated sheet, a solution sheet will be printed.

<i>Page Setup...</i> 
This works just like the menu item with the same name, where settings such as paper sizes, page orientation, and printer selection can be adjusted. Any setting changes made via this dialog are reflected in the <i>Preview</i> field.

<i>Print...</i>
This works just like the menu item with the same name.

<i>Save Sheets as Images...</i>
This allows the sheets to be saved to disk as JPEG files instead of being printed. This is a useful feature for e.g. embedding math sheets on websites, converting math sheets to other formats etc. After clicking this button, a dialog box will open where the size of the images to be generated as well as a name for the image set can be specified. The default values for the size relfect the current page settings. Custom values can be used if desired. Click the <i>OK</i> button to save the images to a location of your choice.


<b>Preferences</b>

<i><b>Font Settings</b></i>

<i>Font</i> 
Use the popup menu to adjust the font used to render the math problems.

<i>Bold</i> and <i>Italic</i>
Use the checkboxes to adjust the appearance of the math problems.

<i><b>Symbol Settings</b></i>

<i>Multiply</i> and <i>Divide</i>
Use the popup menus to select the your symbols of choice for multiplications and divisions. 

NOTE: Some symbols may not be supported by certain fonts. If the symbols in the previews below the popup menus are not displayed properly, select a different font or select more compatible symbols.


<b>Examples</b>

<i>EXAMPLE 1</i>
A 2nd grade elementary student is solving subtraction math problems where the top operand is always between 10 and 19 and the bottom operand is always between 1 and 9. Additionaly, the exercises are to be created so that the result is always less than 10 in order to practice the "carry over" concept in every problem.
Use the following "Math Settings" to generate the desired exercises:
- Top Operand    Min: 10
- Top Operand    Max: 19
- Bottom Operand Min:  1
- Bottom Operand Max:  9
- Result         Min:  1
- Result         Max:  9
- Operator(s)       :  -

<i>EXAMPLE 2</i>
A 3rd grade elementary student is solving addition and subtraction math problems with up to 3 digit numbers. Both operands are always 2 or 3 digits wide. In addition, the result is limited to 2 or 3 digits as well.
Use the following "Math Settings" to generate the desired exercises:
- Top Operand    Min:  10
- Top Operand    Max: 999
- Bottom Operand Min:  10
- Bottom Operand Max: 999
- Result         Min:  10
- Result         Max: 999
- Operator(s)       :  +, -