Tux, of Math Command
| Company type | Open source software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Educational software, Video games |
| Founded | September 2001 |
| Founder | Bill Kendrick |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Educational arcade game (TuxMath) |
| Website | tuxmath |
Tux, of Math Command (commonly known as TuxMath) is a free, open source educational arcade game designed to teach arithmetic skills, initially created for the Linux platform.
History
Bill Kendrick released the first alpha version in September 2001. The game stars Tux, the Linux penguin mascot, set against a chilly arctic backdrop.
Starting with version 1.7.0, TuxMath introduced a multiplayer option along with a factorization mini-game named Factoroids.
Gameplay
Inspired by the classic arcade title Missile Command, players defend cities from incoming comets by solving math problems displayed on each comet, which activates a laser to eliminate the threat.
Features
Developed with education in mind, the software accommodates multiple players and supports LAN multiplayer sessions. It offers on-screen guidance and practice modes featuring over fifty lessons that cover fundamental arithmetic topics including negative numbers and missing value exercises. As an open source initiative, it operates across various operating systems such as Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, BeOS, and others. The community has translated the game into more than thirty languages. The Factoroids segment adapts Atari's Asteroids gameplay mechanics to teach factorization concepts.
JavaScript version
Originally coded in C with SDL libraries, TuxMath was ported to JavaScript in 2022, making it accessible through web browsers and mobile devices. This browser-based edition preserves the core comet-defense gameplay but omits the Factoroids activity. It features an automatic difficulty adjustment system based on player performance, incorporates multi-number arithmetic operations, and imposes penalties like igloo damage when mistakes are repeated.
Distribution
TuxMath is bundled in several Linux distributions, including the Edubuntu variant of Ubuntu. It is preloaded on devices such as the ASUS Eee PC and has appeared on the Dish Network 721 PVR platform.
Use in schools
The game enjoys widespread adoption in educational settings and is frequently showcased in school newsletters, educational software repositories, and academic publications. It is regularly cited alongside other open-source learning tools, highlighting its contribution to interactive mathematics education.
See also
External links
- Download source code and Windows, Linux and Mac editions
- Access Tux Math online (JavaScript/web edition)