By Jinny Gudmundsen
Gannett News Service

If you have a child who thinks math is boring, the Number Devil (Windows and Macintosh; $30; Viva-Media, www.viva-media.com) , a new software adventure, may be just the ticket.

The software presents a mathematical adventure that explores sometimes-challenging concepts such as infinite numbers, prime numbers, fractions, decimals, powers and square roots. It introduces kids to mathematical oddities including triangular numbers, Fibonacci numbers, Pascal's triangle, and Euler's formula.

Robert, a boy who thinks "mathematics is child abuse," narrates the story. His opinion about math changes after he is visited in his dreams for 10 nights by the Number Devil, a mouthy charismatic character.

Each night, the Number Devil introduces math concepts in clever and unusual ways. For example, to explain permutations, the Number Devil shifts Robert's whining classmates around to show the different possibilities.

Players end each night by exploring a related math game. Following the permutations lesson, youngsters build a racetrack placing four different color cubes in four different positions. They explore a variety of permutations to see which track is fastest.

The combination of Robert's pluck and the Number Devil's edgy demeanor creates an engaging dynamic. However, the math content varies in difficulty, making it an uncomfortable fit for some children. It's too difficult for kids struggling with math, even though the presentation is novel and jazzy. And for math whizzes, the content may seem like cotton candy - sweet at the beginning, but leaving you unfulfilled at the end.

However, for kids who think math is boring, here's a chance to put some fun and creativity back into a topic that is far from linear.