Patent ID: 7921047

Claim:
A system comprising: a computer processor; a user interface in communication with the processor; and a memory in communication with the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: (a) determine a price for an opportunity to participate in a market, wherein determining the price comprises: (1) selecting a set of mathematical factors from a plurality of sets, wherein the set of factors is associated with a predetermined price pattern; (2) selecting a current factor from the selected set; and (3) determining a price in accordance with the current factor, wherein determining the price in accordance with the current factor includes applying the current factor to an immediately prior market interval; (b) update a financial position of a user of the system in response to a transaction; and (c) perform the transaction in accordance with the price and an input from the user through the user interface, the input from the user corresponding in content to an input to a simulated business system that conducts a market transaction, whereby the user develops skill in specifying market transactions to be conducted by reviewing changes in the user's financial position.