Step 7: Add Multiplication and Division Problems

Article
04/28/2015

In the seventh part of this tutorial, you'll add multiplication and division problems, but first think about how to make that change. Consider the initial step, which involves storing values.

To add multiplication and division problems

Add four more integer variables to the form.

Public Class Form1

    ' Create a Random object called randomizer  
    ' to generate random numbers. 
    Private randomizer As New Random

    ' These integer variables store the numbers  
    ' for the addition problem.  
    Private addend1 As Integer 
    Private addend2 As Integer 


    ' These integer variables store the numbers  
    ' for the subtraction problem.  
    Private minuend As Integer 
    Private subtrahend As Integer 

    ' These integer variables store the numbers  
    ' for the multiplication problem.  
    Private multiplicand As Integer 
    Private multiplier As Integer 

    ' These integer variables store the numbers  
    ' for the division problem.  
    Private dividend As Integer 
    Private divisor As Integer 

    ' This integer variable keeps track of the  
    ' remaining time. 
    Private timeLeft As Integer

public partial class Form1 : Form
{
    // Create a Random object called randomizer  
    // to generate random numbers.
    Random randomizer = new Random();

    // These integer variables store the numbers  
    // for the addition problem.  
    int addend1;
    int addend2;

    // These integer variables store the numbers  
    // for the subtraction problem.  
    int minuend;
    int subtrahend;

    // These integer variables store the numbers  
    // for the multiplication problem.  
    int multiplicand;
    int multiplier;

    // These integer variables store the numbers  
    // for the division problem.  
    int dividend;
    int divisor;

    // This integer variable keeps track of the  
    // remaining time. 
    int timeLeft;

As you did before, modify the StartTheQuiz() method to fill in random numbers for the multiplication and division problems.

''' <summary> 
''' Start the quiz by filling in all of the problem  
''' values and starting the timer.  
''' </summary> 
''' <remarks></remarks> 
Public Sub StartTheQuiz()

    ' Fill in the addition problem. 
    ' Generate two random numbers to add. 
    ' Store the values in the variables 'addend1' and 'addend2'.
    addend1 = randomizer.Next(51)
    addend2 = randomizer.Next(51)

    ' Convert the two randomly generated numbers 
    ' into strings so that they can be displayed 
    ' in the label controls.
    plusLeftLabel.Text = addend1.ToString()
    plusRightLabel.Text = addend2.ToString()

    ' 'sum' is the name of the NumericUpDown control. 
    ' This step makes sure its value is zero before 
    ' adding any values to it.
    sum.Value = 0

    ' Fill in the subtraction problem.
    minuend = randomizer.Next(1, 101)
    subtrahend = randomizer.Next(1, minuend)
    minusLeftLabel.Text = minuend.ToString()
    minusRightLabel.Text = subtrahend.ToString()
    difference.Value = 0

    ' Fill in the multiplication problem.
    multiplicand = randomizer.Next(2, 11)
    multiplier = randomizer.Next(2, 11)
    timesLeftLabel.Text = multiplicand.ToString()
    timesRightLabel.Text = multiplier.ToString()
    product.Value = 0

    ' Fill in the division problem.
    divisor = randomizer.Next(2, 11)
    Dim temporaryQuotient As Integer = randomizer.Next(2, 11)
    dividend = divisor * temporaryQuotient
    dividedLeftLabel.Text = dividend.ToString()
    dividedRightLabel.Text = divisor.ToString()
    quotient.Value = 0

    ' Start the timer.
    timeLeft = 30
    timeLabel.Text = "30 seconds"
    Timer1.Start()

End Sub

/// <summary> 
/// Start the quiz by filling in all of the problem  
/// values and starting the timer.  
/// </summary> 
public void StartTheQuiz()
{
    // Fill in the addition problem. 
    // Generate two random numbers to add. 
    // Store the values in the variables 'addend1' and 'addend2'.
    addend1 = randomizer.Next(51);
    addend2 = randomizer.Next(51);

    // Convert the two randomly generated numbers 
    // into strings so that they can be displayed 
    // in the label controls.
    plusLeftLabel.Text = addend1.ToString();
    plusRightLabel.Text = addend2.ToString();

    // 'sum' is the name of the NumericUpDown control. 
    // This step makes sure its value is zero before 
    // adding any values to it.
    sum.Value = 0;

    // Fill in the subtraction problem.
    minuend = randomizer.Next(1, 101);
    subtrahend = randomizer.Next(1, minuend);
    minusLeftLabel.Text = minuend.ToString();
    minusRightLabel.Text = subtrahend.ToString();
    difference.Value = 0;

    // Fill in the multiplication problem.
    multiplicand = randomizer.Next(2, 11);
    multiplier = randomizer.Next(2, 11);
    timesLeftLabel.Text = multiplicand.ToString();
    timesRightLabel.Text = multiplier.ToString();
    product.Value = 0;

    // Fill in the division problem.
    divisor = randomizer.Next(2, 11);
    int temporaryQuotient = randomizer.Next(2, 11);
    dividend = divisor * temporaryQuotient;
    dividedLeftLabel.Text = dividend.ToString();
    dividedRightLabel.Text = divisor.ToString();
    quotient.Value = 0;

    // Start the timer.
    timeLeft = 30;
    timeLabel.Text = "30 seconds"; 
    timer1.Start();
}

Modify the CheckTheAnswer() method so that it also checks the multiplication and division problems.

''' <summary> 
''' Check the answers to see if the user got everything right. 
''' </summary> 
''' <returns>True if the answer's correct, false otherwise.</returns> 
''' <remarks></remarks> 
Public Function CheckTheAnswer() As Boolean 

    If addend1 + addend2 = sum.Value AndAlso 
       minuend - subtrahend = difference.Value AndAlso 
       multiplicand * multiplier = product.Value AndAlso 
       dividend / divisor = quotient.Value Then 

        Return True 
    Else 
        Return False 
    End If 

End Function

/// <summary> 
/// Check the answers to see if the user got everything right. 
/// </summary> 
/// <returns>True if the answer's correct, false otherwise.</returns> 
private bool CheckTheAnswer()
{
    if ((addend1 + addend2 == sum.Value)
        && (minuend - subtrahend == difference.Value)
        && (multiplicand * multiplier == product.Value)
        && (dividend / divisor == quotient.Value))
        return true;
    else 
        return false;
}

You can't easily enter the multiplication sign (×) and the division sign (÷) using the keyboard, so Visual C# and Visual Basic accept an asterisk (*) for multiplication and a slash mark (/) for division.

Change the last part of the timer's Tick event handler so that it fills in the correct answer when time runs out.

Else 
    ' If the user ran out of time, stop the timer, show 
    ' a MessageBox, and fill in the answers.
    Timer1.Stop()
    timeLabel.Text = "Time's up!"
    MessageBox.Show("You didn't finish in time.", "Sorry!")
    sum.Value = addend1 + addend2
    difference.Value = minuend - subtrahend
    product.Value = multiplicand * multiplier
    quotient.Value = dividend / divisor
    startButton.Enabled = True 
End If

else
{
    // If the user ran out of time, stop the timer, show  
    // a MessageBox, and fill in the answers.
    timer1.Stop();
    timeLabel.Text = "Time's up!";
    MessageBox.Show("You didn't finish in time.", "Sorry");
    sum.Value = addend1 + addend2;
    difference.Value = minuend - subtrahend;
    product.Value = multiplicand * multiplier;
    quotient.Value = dividend / divisor;
    startButton.Enabled = true;
}

Save and run your program.

Quiz takers must answer four problems to complete the quiz, as the following illustration shows.

Math quiz with four problems

To continue or review

To go to the next tutorial step, see Step 8: Customize the Quiz.
To return to the previous tutorial step, see Step 6: Add a Subtraction Problem.

Step 7: Add Multiplication and Division Problems

To add multiplication and division problems

To continue or review

Additional resources