diff --git a/calculator.rb b/calculator.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6216a07
--- /dev/null
+++ b/calculator.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+
+#ask the user for an operation and two numbers
+puts "Choose your operator: \nOptions \n+\n-\n*\n/\nadd\nsubtract\nmultiply\ndivide\n"
+operator = gets.chomp.downcase
+
+#array of valid operators
+valid_operators = ["+", "-", "*", "/", "add", "subtract", "multiply", "divide"]
+
+#check if chosen operator is valid
+until valid_operators.include? operator
+  puts "Please enter a valid operator:"
+  operator = gets.chomp.downcase
+end
+
+#method that checks if numeric values are valid
+class String
+  def valid_float?
+    Float(self) rescue false
+  end
+end
+
+#input for 2 numeric values
+puts "Please enter your first numeric value:"
+value1 = gets.chomp
+until value1.valid_float?
+  puts "Please enter a valid numeric value:"
+  value1 = gets.chomp
+end
+value1 = value1.to_f
+
+puts "Please enter your second numeric value:"
+value2 = gets.chomp
+until value2.valid_float?
+  puts "Please enter a valid numeric value:"
+  value2 = gets.chomp
+end
+value2 = value2.to_f
+
+#chooses operation based on operator
+case operator
+  when "+", "add"
+    answer = value1 + value2
+  when "-", "subtract"
+    answer = value1 - value2
+  when "*", "multiply"
+    answer = value1 * value2
+  when "/", "divide"
+#checks for zeros as second value
+#note: this doesn't also check if it's a valid float :(
+    until value2 != 0
+      puts "Please enter a valid value that isn't 0:"
+      value2 = gets.chomp.to_f
+    end
+    answer = value1 / value2
+  else puts "This means there's a break in my operators."
+end
+
+puts answer
+
+
+
+
+=begin
+class String
+  def valid_float?
+    # The double negation turns this into an actual boolean true - if you're
+    # okay with "truthy" values (like 0.0), you can remove it.
+    !!Float(self) rescue false
+  end
+end
+
+
+def calculator(val1, val2)
+  print operator_action
+  val1.send operator_action, val2
+end
+
+print calculator(value1, value2)
+
+#check if operator is not a string containing options
+while operator != "+" && operator != "add" &&
+  operator != "-" && operator != "subtract" &&
+  operator != "*" && operator != "multiply" &&
+  operator != "/" && operator != "divide"
+  puts "Please enter a valid operation:"
+  operator = gets.chomp.downcase
+end
+
+case operator
+  when "+", "add"
+    operator = "+"
+  when "-", "subtract"
+    operator = "-"
+  when "*", "multiply"
+    operator = "*"
+  when "/", "divide"
+    operator = ""
+  else puts "::shrug::"
+end
+
+while operator == ask_operator
+  puts "Please enter a valid operation:"
+  operator = gets.chomp.downcase
+end
+
+#check if val1 and val2 are valid
+#if operator is divide, second value CANNOT be 0
+=end