Algebra (DIYDamian)

## Algebra

**Algebra** is a level created by DIYDamian. The level is themed around math, featuring math problems throughout that require the player to move to an area with the correct answer to avoid taking damage. It is Expert difficulty, as well as one of the levels to be featured in PA Memories (1).

## Layout

### Start

The level starts with a gray background, a few bombs appear in this section but overall not much happens yet.

### Checkpoint 1

Beginning with a giant laser in the center of the screen, the first checkpoint is the “tutorial” section with instructions on how to answer the questions at the top of the screen. Some bombs, lasers, and an attack that sends blocks left and right out from the center will keep you moving during this part. The questions begin about 1/4 of the way through this section:

* 4
# 6
10

{\displaystyle 4+6=10}

After the question ends, a slower section starts where bombs go off on each side of the screen. The bombs slowly get covered up with walls on the left and right sides of the screen, making it harder to dodge them.

### Checkpoint 2

The music suddenly pauses as a circle appears in the middle of the screen and the question display returns. The music resumes, the circle releases a shockwave, and the background turns purple. Bombs start going off again on either side of the screen and the following questions show up:

* 5
×
# 7
35

{\displaystyle 5\times 7=35}
* 24

/

# 8
3

{\displaystyle 24/8=3}
* 42
−
# 80
−
38

{\displaystyle 42-80=-38}
* (
1
3
)
−
# 8
−
4

{\displaystyle (1+3)-8=-4}

After all 4 questions are done, the question display disappears and basic attacks are thrown at you. These include bombs and large circle pulses.

### Checkpoint 3

The background turns gray again and a circle appears in the center of the screen. It shoots simple beams that fire in random directions. This happens for the first half of the section. The second half of the section has a black background while a shower of projectiles come from the top of the screen. These projectiles pause temporarily in the middle of the screen before continuing downwards.

### Checkpoint 4

This is the only checkpoint to have two sets of questions. The part starts off with a dark teal background and the question display returns again and shows four more questions while bombs occasionally go off:

* 5

3

=
125

{\displaystyle 5^{3}=125}
* 6
(
16

/

2
# )
14

{\displaystyle 6+(16/2)=14}
* 7
×
4
−
# 3
25

{\displaystyle 7\times 4-3=25}
* 1
×
1
1
×
# 1
2

{\displaystyle 1\times 1+1\times 1=2}

When these questions are completed, the background becomes green and the third set of questions starts. Bombs fire off on the sides and large lasers occasionally fire off in the center of the screen. The four following questions appear:

* 12
x

/

# 6
10

{\displaystyle 12x/6=10}

	+ Answer:

	x
	=
	5

	{\displaystyle x=5}
* 3

x

/

# 9
9

{\displaystyle 3^{x}/9=9}

	+ Answer:

	x
	=
	4

	{\displaystyle x=4}
* A rectangle is shown having a height of 4 and a width of 2.5h. The player is prompted that they have to find the area of the rectangle with h standing for the height.
	+ Answer:

	40

	{\displaystyle 40}
* A circle is shown with a diameter of 8 units. The player is prompted to find the area of the circle.
	+ Answer:

	16
	π

	{\displaystyle 16\pi }

### Checkpoint 5

The display shows text wishing the player good luck with the upcoming section. Suddenly, the background turns red and the entire stage layout changes into a diamond with a cross separating the diamond into four parts, each having a possible answer. The diamond spins during the section. The following questions rapidly show up in the middle of the screen:

* 4
# 3
7

{\displaystyle 4+3=7}
* 8
−
# 9
−
1

{\displaystyle 8-9=-1}
* 7
−
# 2
5

{\displaystyle 7-2=5}
* 12
−
# 6
2

{\displaystyle 12-6=2}
* −
(
5
−
3
# )
−
2

{\displaystyle -(5-3)=-2}
* 4
×
# 9
36

{\displaystyle 4\times 9=36}
* 83
−
# 53
30

{\displaystyle 83-53=30}
* 4
×
4
×
# 4
64

{\displaystyle 4\times 4\times 4=64}

When that is finished, it leads to a final long question:

* A complicated figure showing a square and a circle intersecting is displayed. The square has a side length of 6, though two of its sides are intersected by a circle, making them 3 in length.
	+ Answer:

	9
	π

	2

	18

	{\displaystyle {\frac {9\pi }{2}}+18}

### End

The ending displays the following text:

SONG BY FUNCTION PHANTOM -
ALGEBRA -
MAPPED BY DIYDAMIAN -
SHOUTOUTS TO -
ori(fucking)0ta for inspiration -
The PA Discord for feedback and other stuff

There is a small easter egg where a lowercase h appears in the bottom-right corner of the screen for the last second of the level.

## Trivia

* The math gameplay mechanic in the level was inspired by a Clone Hero custom modchart using the same song.
* A remake of Algebra with randomized math equations was started by DIYDamian. However, it was left unfinished and has only appeared in an unfinished levels video by DIYDamian.
* The computer screen in Algebra is named PEM-DOS.