Convert input box entry to a number/integer

programming flash
1

I have an input box which I enter a numerical value into, I want to compare this value with a variable (_total), but beause its a string it won’t compare it to a number value, I’ve tried varius things including parseInt() but I can’t seem to get it to work. Any ideas? Code so far below:

Thanks

var _total:Number = new Number()
var myAnswer:TextField = new TextField();
myAnswer.type = TextFieldType.INPUT;
myAnswer.maxChars = 2;
myAnswer.restrict = “0-9”;

function onClick(event:MouseEvent):void {

myAnswer.text = Number(myAnswer1);

if (MyAnswer == (_total)) {
    trace("Correct!");
} else {
    trace("Wrong!");
}

}