Step 13 of 15 · F · Boxes working together
The × machine — boxes collaborate
score=100
bonus=3
total
Two boxes — let's make them work together.
Step 1 / 9idle
Now we make two boxes work together using a small machine.
Picture a tiny machine with two slots in front, one slot on the back, and a stamp on top — say a multiply sign.
Step one — the machine reads a copy from each input box: 100 from score and 3 from bonus.
Step two — the machine transforms the copies using its stamp: 100 times 3 becomes 300.
Step three — the machine stores the result inside a fresh box, named total.
The two input boxes are unchanged — score still holds 100, bonus still holds 3, and total is the new box.
This three-step rhythm — read, transform, store — happens over and over inside every program.
Once you can see this rhythm, big programs stop feeling magical — they are just lots of small machines, taking turns.
Check yourself
Quick check
The × machine reads from boxes *score* (100) and *bonus* (3) and stores its result in *total*. What is in each box afterwards?
Quick check
Put the three steps of the × machine in the **right order**.