Times tables tester

Step 1: Make it

What is it?

Test your knowledge of times tables with this project.

These two videos show you what you'll make and how to code it:

How it works

• The program uses two variables called “a” and “b” to store random numbers.
• Variables store numbers or values that can change in a computer program.
• Press button A to generate a random number between 1 and 12 for the variable “a” and to show it on the LED display. Press button B to generate another random number between 1 and 12 for “b” and to show it on the LED display.
• Shake the micro:bit to find out what the product is - that's what the answer would be if the numbers were multiplied together. This part of the program works using the multiplication block from the maths menu in MakeCode.
• You can use this project in a competitive two-player game, where the two random numbers are read out and each player must shout out the correct answer first to win a point.

What you need

• micro:bit (or MakeCode simulator)
• battery pack (optional)

Step 2: Code it

1from microbit import *
2import random
3a = 0
4b = 0
5
6# Shake the micro:bit to see the answer in the Python version
7while True:
8    if accelerometer.was_gesture('shake'):
9        display.scroll(a*b)
10    if button_a.was_pressed():
11        a = random.randint(1, 12)
12        display.scroll(a)
13    if button_b.was_pressed():
14        b = random.randint(1, 12)
15        display.scroll(b)

Step 3: Improve it

• Adjust the program so that it helps you to learn square numbers.
• If you are playing the two-player game, create another program on a different micro:bit to keep track of the players' scores.
• Use various inputs in this program to trigger different sound effects, which you can play when players give a correct or incorrect answer.