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Brain Age Express: Math

Challenge Mode FAQ/Walkthrough
By geozeldadude (http://geozeldadude.wordpress.com)
Created March 31, 2012

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Intro
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The purpose of this FAQ/Walkthrough is to provide details 
on the Challenge mode of Brain Age Express: Math. The mode
is unlocked when you reach the best possible brain age of 20.  
The "Challenge Master" (Dr. Kawashima's alter ego) will 
start you off at level 0 and present you with a challenge
you must pass in order to progress to the next level.  There 
are 10 challenges total, and some of them will definitely 
have you ripping your hair out.

This FAQ is dedicated to all the great FAQ writers out there
who have helped me through rough patches many a time.  This is 
my first FAQ, and just my small way of filling a gap in order
to repay all the help I've received.

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General Info
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All of the challenges are based on the training and test 
exercises in the game, although since they exceed the "rocket"
level (i.e. highest scoring) requirements of the exercises many 
of them are quite difficult, especially since you're only 
allowed one complete attempt a day.  One tip that will help you 
keep your blood pressure in check is to remember that you can 
press start to exit out of the exercise and retry, since the 
game only allows one full attempt a day but as many retries as 
you want.  If things are going badly you should restart, and 
in most cases if you make even a single mistake you should 
just restart rather than hope you'll still make the time
requirements.

The challenge mode also sneaks in two new variations to 
existing exercises that aren't otherwise available anywhere
else, but more on that later.

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List of Challenges
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The numbering of the challenges is a little confusing
because you start at level 0.  The levels listed
below are the levels you'll earn after successfully
completing that challenge.  For example, completing the
first challenge will move you from level 0 to level 1.

All the challenges are the same as training or test 
exercises in the main game, so for the most part the same 
strategies will still apply, with the exceptions of #6 and #8
which are new.  See the "New challenges" section for details 
on those two exercises, and the "Tip on Challenges" section 
for tips on the old challenges.

1 Number Memory                         Remember 20
2 Change Maker                          < 35 seconds
3 By the Numbers                        < 35 seconds
4 High Number                           < 35 seconds
5 Sum Totalled                          < 1 minute
6 Math Recall - Challenge mode          < 1 min 10 sec
7 Multi-task - Hard mode                < 50 sec
8 Virus Buster - Challenge Mode         Clear all viruses
9 Triangle Math - Hard Mode             < 1 min 5 sec
10 Calculations X100        		< 60 seconds

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New Challenges
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Challenge #6 is a harder version of "Math Recall".  In the 
original exercise you were presented with a number that
was quickly blacked out and that you had to remember 
in order to add it to another number.  The second number
in turn gets blacked out and you have to add it to a 
third number, and then the third number gets blacked out, 
and so on.  In the hard version you have to remember two
numbers instead of just one.  The first number that is
hidden gets put into a "waiting" area above the current 
sum, and then gets put into the left side of the next sum, 
and so on. The example below explains this cycling more 
clearly.

Example part 1: 
    
 [3]       <-- Waiting area, 3 is hidden.

[5] + 2    <-- Current sum, 5 is hidden.
               2 will become hidden next.

Example part 2:

 [2]       <-- Waiting area, 2 is still hidden.

[3] + 4    <-- Current sum, 3 is still hidden.  
               4 will become hidden next.

This challenge is not that difficult.  Just keep repeating
the hidden numbers to yourself as you do the current sum.

Challenge #8 is a unique mode of "Virus Buster", the 
touch-based version of Dr. Mario that was included in 
Brain Age 2.  In the Challenge version single-block capsules
will quickly rain down from the top of the screen. The goal
is still to clear all the viruses, but since the capsules are
only single blocks you don't have to worry about rotating 
anything.  Just focus on moving the blocks quickly into place
and restart as often as you need.

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Tips on Old Challenges
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For "Number Memory", feel free to restart until you get a grid
of numbers that has at least 5 or 6 numbers in sequence in a 
connected line.  Don't cheat and just write all the numbers
down on a piece of paper!

For "By the Numbers" restart until you get a multiple that 
you're very comfortable with, preferably an even number such as 4
so you can automatically ignore any number that's not even and 
focus on keeping your eye out for the digit you have to select.
You also may find it easier to keep the next multiple in your head, 
again, so you can focus on watching for the digit you have to 
select.  Once you get to that digit in the 10's place (e.g. for
3 it would be the 30's) quickly tap "Yes" until you're past that
series of numbers and on to the next 10's place.

"High Number" is very difficult, and is often just a matter of 
luck.  Avoid guessing, and try to scan all the numbers as quickly 
as possible by moving your eyes around the whole screen.  If you 
feel like you've hesitated at all you should restart.

In "Multi-task" to pass the challenge you'll have to do the sums
as quickly as possible while still keeping an eye on the people
entering and leaving the house.  I always end up having to make an 
educated guess on the last one, but if the game pauses after you've
written in your answer you should restart because that means you
were probably wrong.

In "Triangle Math" just use the same technique as you're probably 
already using, which is if it's all additions just multiply the
sum of the two numbers in the middle by three and then add in the 
first and last number.  Then you should have plenty of time to 
spend on the problems where subtraction is involved.

The challenge mode of "Calculations X100" is also quite difficult.
Again, if you feel that you've hesitated at all just restart, 
because you're probably not going to make the time limit otherwise.

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Legalities
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This FAQ may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal,
private use. It may not be placed on any website or otherwise distributed
publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other
website or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a
violation of copyright.

All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their
respective trademark and copyright holders.

© 2012 by geozeldadude

Feel free to contact me through the address at 
http://geozeldadude.wordpress.com.

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