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Number Puzzler loads easily and reassures the user by initially reading a header block which displays the title on the screen. It is important that loading is straightforward because four minutes is a long time to wait to get a 'Bad program' error message.

The program begins with a menu which offers choices of playing Addition, Subtraction, Adds and Subs or doing a self-test. All responses are by single-key entries except where the user's name has to be input.

Addition is played on either a 3 x 3 or 6 x 6 board. The aim is to get three numbers in a line by either using the two numbers given or their sum. Squares are coloured to show who has won them. The screen display is clear and instructions are unambiguous. Numbers seem to be chosen to produce a result and the machine checks for faulty addition. Entries can be changed and the delete key works as normal, even though the characters are plotted as enlarged.

In Subtraction, a single number can be used as it is, or be split into any two positive numbers which sum to it. This is more interesting and produces better tactics than the simple addition version. Adds and Subs allows a mixture of both games with either the numbers being used, or their sum or the components of either. This is played on a 6 x 6 board (really four 3 x 3 boards arranged in a grid) and is quite difficult.

The skill level in the next stage, Magic Square, is much higher as the program gives a partially completed square. The user enters the remaining numbers and scores by how many horizontal, vertical or diagonal lines add up to the constant for the square which can be deduced from the original diagram. This game can be used at a variety of levels since almost everyone can complete some correct lines and more careful planning is needed to complete a magic square. It is a pity the arrow keys cannot be used to alter values and that there is no way to allow pupils to experiment without being trapped in the procedure of trying to score more than a hundred for the three games.

The self-test is disappointing because the time taken to plot the characters interferes with even a moderate typing speed. A fast typist is either frustrated by the time delay or penalised for 'incorrect' answers. This part of the program does not match the standard of the rest.

The program is specified for children between four and 12, although it could easily be used with low-attaining older pupils. The whole package is professionally presented with an attractive instruction booklet and a simple mechanism to set the sound level to one of five values.

Although Number Puzzler will never be a wildly popular program, it is well worth the money for primary and secondary schools.