Week 4: Arithmetic operators

C# does math with operators. + adds, - subtracts, * multiplies and / divides. The equals sign = stores a value in a variable, and % gives the remainder after division. This week you practice all six symbols. Each one needs its own attention.

What you will learn

Operators combine numbers into expressions, and you store the result in a variable:

• int total = 2 + 3; adds two numbers and stores the result in total.
• int rest = 10 % 3; divides 10 by 3 and gives the remainder, which is 1.

This week’s symbols on the US English layout:

• +: press = with Shift. Hold Shift with the opposite pinky (the left pinky) and press = with the right pinky.
• -: press the - key with the right pinky.
• *: press 8 with Shift. Hold Shift with the opposite pinky (the left pinky) and press 8 with the right middle finger.
• /: press the / key with the right pinky.
• =: press the = key with the right pinky.
• %: press 5 with Shift. Hold Shift with the opposite pinky (the left pinky) and press 5 with the left index finger.

Technique tips

• Press Shift before the plus, asterisk or percent key and keep it held until the key is down. Shifted symbols need your hand ready in advance.
• Return to the home row after each operator. Frequent returns keep the rhythm steady.
• Enter fills in the next line’s indentation. When a calculation sits inside a block, do not retype the indent.

Lessons

1. Learn (10 to 15 minutes): Watch the demo for all six symbols, notice which ones need Shift and which hand holds it, and type each one several times.
2. Practice (10 to 15 minutes): Type this week’s calculation lines. Keep the spacing around each operator the same.
3. Review (10 to 15 minutes): Take the two-minute test. Note which symbol slowed you down and focus on it in the next lesson.

This week’s goal

The goal this week is 14 WPM with 91 percent accuracy. Stars work like this: finish the lesson for 1 star, reach 91 percent accuracy for 2 stars, and reach 14 WPM as well for 3 stars. One wrong operator changes the result of a calculation, so accuracy comes first. Speed follows as you repeat correct expressions.