Welcome to BetaMac!
Before we dive into the rules, and strategies for becoming a BetaMac master, I feel it is important to go over the role mental math plays in life.
Through repeated exposure to mental calculations, your brain is trained to recognize patterns, find optimizations, and criically think. Not only does this enhance your ability to solve complex problems, it also serves as a tool in everyday life.
Imagine you're shopping for groceries, writing a tip at a restaurant, or adjusting ingredient quantities while baking. Yes, you could use a calculuator for all of these operations, but imagine the power in being to perform the required calculation near-instantly. So while BetaMac can be used for interview prep, don't discount its relevance the next time you need to give someone change.
BetaMac is simple in nature. To start, you can toggle the operation categories (addition, subtraction, etc) on/off depending on preference. Once you've selected the desired categories, a range needs to be configured. You can stick to the default or opt for a unique configuration. If you're feeling abitious, toggle on "Distractions" mode which will play a randomly selected noise for the duration of the game. To begin the game hit "Start".
Multiplayer mode is my twist (in addition to distractions) on the original zetamac. To play, you can join or host a lobby. If you go with join, enter the code the host provides and click "Join". If you decide to host a game, copy the six character code generated at the bottom of the screen and send it to your opponent. Then click "Host".
NOTE: For the time being, games can only consist of two players. This will be increased in the future.
I am no professional at solving mental math calculations, but I can offer some advice to help you through the BetaMac journey.
When faced with larger numbers, break them into smaller, more manageable parts. For instance, to calculate 47 + 36, you can break it down to (40 + 30) + (7 + 6).
Round numbers to the nearest ten or hundred to make calculations easier, then adjust your final answer. For example, if calculating 29 + 47, round to 30 + 50 and then subtract the 1 + 3.
Visualize numbers on a number line. This helps visualize the gaps between numbers. Moreover, recognize and use patterns in numbers, such as how multiplying by 9 creates a predictable set of results or how adding zeros affects values.
Before you leave, I want to direct your attention to the reason BetaMac exists. BetaMac was birthed out of the idea for the multiplayer zetamac, which is an already amazing tool to improve mental math skills. Be sure to check out zetamac whenever you get the chance. You can visit them Here.