Unit 3, Lesson 23:  Basic Ten-Key Pad

How did your Pre- and Post-Tests in the previous lesson go? I can imagine that you had a really hard time entering all those numbers, additions, multiplications, etc. Fortunately, there is an easier way to enter numeric data--the ten-number keypad! Instead of stretching your fingers between digits and symbols on the main keypad, all the keys that you need are all within an easy reach of your right hand!

I am sure you all are familiar with the ten-key pad but if you ever entered numbers by staring at the keypad as you hit each key with your index finger, you know how easy it was to make tons of mistakes! Not only you kept hitting the wrong key, but when you were constantly looking back and forth between the keypad and the result, you made even more mistakes or misread a number. This lesson is the end of your suffering!

The goal of this lesson is to teach you to correctly use the numeric keypad, entering numbers without looking at the keyboard using all 5 fingers of your right hand. It may be difficult at first but after a few practice drills you will be able to type numbers much faster than you can imagine!

So, without further delay, let us learn how to type on the ten-number keypad!

Home Keys

As was the case with the main keyboard, the ten-key pad has a row of home keys where your index, middle, ring, and little finger always rest. The home keys are the [4], [5], [6], and [Enter] keys. Can you feel the bump on the [5] key? It should help you to find the home keys without even looking at the pad!

The [0] Key

You always strike the [0] key with your right thumb. That's the only job your right thumb needs to do!

Left hand

Left hand is really not needed when entering numeric data on the ten-key pad. However, since our drills contain spaces, you should rest your left hand on the home keys of the main keyboard and use your left thumb to enter any spaces. And when we get to more advanced drills that combine words with numbers, you will need your left hand on the main keyboard be ready for typing text.

The [NumLock] Key

On most computers, the ten-number keypad can be used for both entering numeric data and navigation. The [NumLock] key toggles between these 2 modes. Typically, when the numeric functions are on, an indicator on the keyboard is lit.

[0], [4], [5], [6], and [Enter]

Use right thumb to strike [0] key and your right index finger, middle finger, and ring finger to strike the [4], [5], and [6] keys.
Use your left thumb for spaces between groups of numbers and your right pinky to press the [Enter] key on the numeric keypad at the end of each line.
Make sure that your [NumLock] is on!
Type each line at least twice.

456 654 456 654 045 540 056 650 046 640 0456 6540   Return

545 506 544 564 645 656 555 400 565 005 6044 4645   Return

060 406 640 606 656 654 445 466 055 050 6056 6545   Return twice

[7], [8], [9], and [+]

Use right index finger, middle finger, and ring finger to strike [7], [8], and [9] keys and your right small finger to strike the [+] key.
Return fingers to their home keys after each stroke.
Type each line at least twice.

474+585 696+747 858+969 470+580 690+740 850+960+0   Return

57+59+85 48+49+74 68+67+69 76+75+74 84+86+85 7+89   Return

47+58+69 96+85+74 48+59+67 57+68+49 70+80+90 9+87   Return

57+89+67 80+97+68 70+48+69 75+90+86 80+76+59 8+97   Return twice

DRILL   BOX

[1], [2], and [3]

Use right index finger, middle finger, and ring finger to strike [1], [2], and [3] keys.
Return fingers to their home keys after each stroke.
Type each line at least twice.

414+525 636+141 252+363 417+528 639+741 8520+9630   Return

17+28+39 39+28+17 71+82+93 93+82+71 14+25+36 1+23   Return

70+14+80 25+90+36 58+20+73 71+62+34 19+82+37 3+21   Return

61+43+82 31+47+25 30+18+62 92+34+75 17+49+23 2+31   Return twice

Pre-test

Type at least twice.
Then take a 1-minute timing and count your errors.
You should type at least 16 wpm with no more than 4 errors.

407+502 609+140 850+360 571+493 682+273 1920+3810	10
816+167 683+721 498+385 761+924 803+702 9460+3870	20
806+305 208+709 180+370 867+348 159+297 3075+9160	30
1 |  2 |  3 |  4 |  5 |  6 |  7 |  8 |  9 | 10 |

DRILL   BOX

Number Drill

Type each line at least three times.

806+529 881+373 603+417 635+261 615+174 0871+4352	10
107+658 943+418 353+269 101+825 691+715 0183+2838	20
062+439 497+832 707+568 974+151 780+898 8980+8439	30
780+439 736+835 241+629 878+401 031+203 0339+3960	40
363+838 674+347 913+307 416+361 823+589 5066+3561	50
603+852 349+670 235+883 370+970 395+421 1401+7791	60
960+407 960+326 037+661 072+712 855+040 4170+1896	70
948+961 642+335 375+261 401+900 629+874 2023+4184	80
1 |  2 |  3 |  4 |  5 |  6 |  7 |  8 |  9 | 10 |

DRILL   BOX

Post-test

Type at least twice.
Then take two 1-minute timing and count your errors. Determine your speed by using the faster typing.
Notice the improvement! You should type at least 20 wpm with no more than 3 errors.

407+502 609+140 850+360 571+493 682+273 1920+3810	10
816+167 683+721 498+385 761+924 803+702 9460+3870	20
806+305 208+709 180+370 867+348 159+297 3075+9160	30
1 |  2 |  3 |  4 |  5 |  6 |  7 |  8 |  9 | 10 |

DRILL   BOX

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