I'll bet you can't stump Dr. Math! This doctor is really a team of Swarthmore graduate students on-line to answer your e-mail about math at http://mathforum.org/dr.math . Sure, you can ask about decimals, algebra and long division, but can these electronic tutors answer questions about math facts and trivia, like who invented the plus sign? And why we need fractions? And who invented math, anyway? Of course. If you're frustrated, don't give up. Try Dr. Math, who always has time and is always ready with an e-smile. When you ask for help on your own stumper, take a second to read other que stions and answers. You may find help you didn't even know you were looking for!

Ever wonder what your parents are doing when they send that tube flying at the bank drive-thru? There's more to banking than just getting money. There's a lot to learn about the value of a dollar...and it's very interesting! One stop at www.kidsbank.com shows you the fun way to learn about money matters. Why not start your withdrawal (of knowledge) by meeting the funny money characters, like Dollar Bill, Interest Ray and Checks the dog. They'll fill you in on the history of money and the ins and outs of savings, credit and interest. Then pop into the game room for a wealth of quizzes to test your money know-how. Mr. Money is always around to answer your questions. And check out the vault full of links to other cool and useful sites for kids. This site is full of rich info to get you through life-you can bank on it!

Grab a pencil and your math book, and head to the cool interactive math Web site at www.exploremath.com . You'll find more than 30 Shockwave-driven activities in categories such as inequalities, trigonometry, probabilities, complex numbers and much more. Try the Area Probability where you can throw darts at a bull's-eye. Or find out what a hyperbola is. Each activity includes buttons and sliders for you to customize and practice math at your own pace. ExploreMath.com can help you master math. (Disclaimer: This site is now included in {url2:www.explorelearning.com}.)

Before the calculator came along, many folks counted with a tool called the abacus--a mechanical aid used for math. Now you can find out more about this fascinating instrument at The Abacus Web site. Get ready for some number crunching at www.ee.ryerson.ca/~elf/abacus . You'll learn all about how to manipulate the wooden beads, which slide freely and allow users to keep track of their calculations. Also, explore the instrument's evolution with cool graphics of the abacus from ancient Chinese, Japanese and Aztec cultures. Still think the calculator is better? Then check out the results of a contest in Tokyo between the abacus and a 1940s calculating machine, and see which one wins. Warning: You will be surprised. You'll also learn how to build a Lego abacus for your toy collection. Relive the past, and start counting the old-fashioned way.

If you are into challenges, or just need a little extra practice with your math, then Figure This! Math Challenges for Families is for you. Get out the calculator and add it up at www.figurethis.org . Funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Science Foundation, Figure This! has 22 problems in all for you to try. You can choose from the Challenge Index, or consult the Math Index to pick exactly which kind of math you want to practice. Add this fun and challenging Web site to your favorites today.