The Brain Cruncher starts you on a number, then shows a chain of steps such as "Add 5", "Take away 7" or "Multiply by 3", one at a time. You keep the running total in your head and type the final answer at the end. Holding a number while you work on it is a workout for your working memory. The science: The Brain Cruncher.
How do I play?
- Tap The Brain Cruncher, choose a way to play, and tap START.
- The start number appears under START WITH, with a 3, 2, 1.
- Each step shows on a card with a fuse that burns down; then the next step comes. The total stays hidden.
- At ENTER THE FINAL TOTAL, type your answer and tap SUBMIT (or press Enter).
What are the three ways to play?
- Classic: a chain at one of four pressure levels. Low gives 5 seconds a step, Medium 4, High 3, all with 10 steps. Extreme has 12 steps at 2.5 seconds each, with doubles, halves and squares. You get 3 tries at the total.
- Memory Climb: start with 3 steps. Crack the total and the next chain is one step longer, up to 25. One miss ends the climb. Choose STEADY (4 seconds a step) or FAST (2.5 seconds).
- Custom: choose the operations, the number of steps, the speed and the size of the numbers, and turn on Training wheels to see the running total as you go.
How do I unlock Medium and High?
Low is open from the start. Crack 3 Low chains to open Medium, then 5 Medium chains to open High. Only chains you crack count, and Custom chains never count toward these unlocks.
What is free and what needs Pro?
Free: Classic Low, Medium and High, and the STEADY Memory Climb. Pro adds Classic Extreme, the FAST Memory Climb and Custom practice. Each chain counts toward your free workouts. See Pro.
What happens if I get the total wrong?
In Classic and Custom you have 3 tries; a wrong total shakes and tells you how many tries are left. After the third, the right total shows. There are no penalty seconds. In Memory Climb one wrong answer ends the climb.
What is the Chain Replay?
After each chain, the result shows CRACKED IT! or SO CLOSE!, with up to 3 stars (3 for the first try). The Chain replay lists the start number and every step with the total after it. After a miss it shows where the slip probably happened, for example a skipped step, and it marks tricky steps with a tip.
Can I pause?
No. The back arrow or Esc asks QUIT WORKOUT?, and the chain keeps running behind it. If you switch to another app, the current step waits for you, but the round clock keeps counting.
Any tips?
- Say the running total to yourself after each step.
- Start on Low or with Training wheels, and step up when the chains feel easy.
- In Memory Climb, a steady pace beats a rushed one: one slip ends the climb.
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