The counter you just watched works in real time because it counts the ticks of the computer clock. It adds one token per tick. If the tick triggers an overflow, a complex event takes place: blinking red, passing a token to the left, cleaning up and repeating this as many times as required. When the work is done, the counter has made only 1 step forward.

The biggest number in 10-digit counter is 9,999,999,999. At the rate of one count per second, it will take 317 years to reach.

BIG NUMBER WORKSHOP has been created on Cape Cod. It's a free non-commercial DYI introduction to elementary math through computing. The goal is to prevent preschoolers, kindergarteners and 1st graders from falling into 60% of those who, according to the government statistic, end up having no usable knowledge of math.

For DIY tutors who need tutoring for themselves, free consultations and paid lessons are currently available in Barnstable (Hyannis), Yarmouth and Dennis. The towns of Bourne, Sandwich, Falmouth, Mashpee, Harwich, Brewster, Chatham, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, Provincetown and the whole WWW are being served online. Please visit the last page for contacts.