---
title: Basic Math also known as Fun With Numbers (new name from 1980), Math (Sears)
tags:
- educational game
- mathematics
- mind games
years:
- '1977'
params:
  image: /media/museum/software/atari_basic-math_box_1_m.jpg
  specs:
  - label: year of release
    value: '1977'
  - label: companies
    value: Atari
  - label: type
    value: game
  - label: media
    value: cartridge
  - label: systems
    value: Atari 2600
  - label: number of players
    value: 1 player
  - label: staff
    value: Gary Palmer
  screenshots:
  - title: addition - you choose the top number
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/fun%20with%20numbers%20%281977%29%20%28atari%29_1.png
  - title: addition - you must then find the answer
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/fun%20with%20numbers%20%281977%29%20%28atari%29_2.png
  - title: addition - good answer!
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/fun%20with%20numbers%20%281977%29%20%28atari%29_3.png
  - title: addition - top number remains the one you chose at start
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/fun%20with%20numbers%20%281977%29%20%28atari%29_4.png
  - title: addition - final score after ten rounds
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/fun%20with%20numbers%20%281977%29%20%28atari%29.png
  - title: substractions
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/fun%20with%20numbers%20%281977%29%20%28atari%29_5.png
  - title: multiplications
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/fun%20with%20numbers%20%281977%29%20%28atari%29_6.png
  - title: divisions
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/fun%20with%20numbers%20%281977%29%20%28atari%29_7.png
  - title: ''
    subtitle: ''
    text: ''
    image: /media/museum/software/atari_basic-math_box_1.jpg
  machines:
  - /museum/atari-vcs-2600
  company: /companies/atari
  oc_id: 466
  source:
    url: https://web.archive.org/web/20221204122945/http://www.old-computers.com/museum/software_detail.asp?id=466
    date: '2022-12-04'
---

Basic Math was Atari's first educational game for the Atari VCS and also one of the 8 titles originaly released for this system in 1977.

Solve addition, substraction, multiplication and division problems. The game lets you know if you're right. If you're wrong, the correct answer flashes on the screen.

There are two modes:

**TABLE PROBLEMS**\
You pick the top number of the problem and the function (addition, substraction, multiplication or division). The system picks the bottom number. Solve it before the time is up.

**RANDOM PROBLEMS**\
You still pick the function. Only now the system picks both the top and bottom numbers.

From 1980, the name of the game was changed to "Fun With Numbers". It was also sold as "Math" by Sears.

Compared to other mathematical games released on other competitor systems the same year (1977), Basic Math is quite easy and targeted to young children. [Math Quiz I](/software/math-quiz-i/) and [Math Quiz II](/software/math-quiz-ii/) (Fairchild Channel F) for example, are much more challenging and thus interesting.