ICS2O Math Quiz

There are many times in computer programs that we want to introduce some kind of random behaviour. This could be for randomly generated levels in a game, random motion for some kind of a simulation, or to choose random questions for a quiz program.

Unfortunately, computers can't make truly random choices; everything a computer does is based on calculations. However, computers can generate pseudo-random numbers; numbers that technically follow a pattern, but the pattern is almost impossible to figure out.

To generate a pseudo-random number in Visual Basic, there are two steps:

1. Create a variable of type "Random"

2. Use one of the following commands to generate your random number:

(Assume that rand has been declared as a variable of type “Random”)
rand.Next() – Generate a random integer between 0 and the maximum possible integer value
rand.Next( a ) – Generate a random integer that is >= 0 and < a
rand.Next( a, b ) – Generate a random integer that is >= a and < b
rand.NextDouble() – Generate a random number that is >= 0.0 and < 1.0

For example, the following program simulates rolling a pair of dice:

Dim rand as Random
Dim iDie1, iDie2, iDieTotal as Integer

rand = New Random
iDie1 = rand.Next(1, 7)
iDie2 = rand.Next(1, 7)

iDieTotal = iDie1 + iDie2

Assignment:

Create math quiz program, similar to the following: see image.

Your program should:

• Generate random math questions. Both the integers and the operation (+, -, *, /) should be random
• Include both positive and negative integers. Enclose negative values in parentheses
• Allow the user to answer the question, and keep track of how many answers the user gets correct
• You must include comments. Generally, every line of code should be preceded by a comment that explains what it is for

Extensions:

• Include exponents and square roots (all values, including answers, should still be integers)
• Have multiple difficulty levels; changing levels should allow for larger numbers, as well as more difficult operations (for example, square roots are only included if the difficulty is increased)