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Has anyone here used Microsoft Math? Is it useful or just pointless? I know someone who needs help with Algebra I and I'm thinking of recommending that they get Microsoft Math for its step by step explanations. Do they really have these explanations or is that just a gimmick and actually they only have step by step solutions for specific pre-made problems?
It says it helps with step by step solutions for pre-algrebra up to calculus.
get a textbook
seriously, there's a fair few areas where software is not a patch on a good reference book
working out maths on paper is one of them
If it's microsoft you can bet it's going to be overpriced. There are cheaper ones online.
Like Ynot said though, it'd be better to do it yourself. Algebra isn't that hard.
I can't count how many times in my life when in a math class the book itself offers actual problems that the book makes no reference on how to solve and the next day the teacher explains it and mentions that "the way to solve it isn't in the book." I've taken advanced math classes for many years and having someone there to explain specific problems is always better than a lame book which usually leaves out important details. If there isn't a person there to help you at least software can help.
When the book fails to have an answer you can turn to a person who knows the answer, or you can turn to software. Using a book is fine, but it is nice to know there are other areas to turn to when books fail.
But what I'm asking is if it is worth this particular one actually helps. The net has it priced at 20 bucks I think. I didn't want to recommend it if it wasn't worth it.
If you want a math program, get maple.
My student price was $15. It can solve like.... anything you throw at it (university level stuff and beyond)
I actually have it open right now because I was doing my calc homework and used it to check my answers =D
Does it show you how it was solved? Or just solve the question?Quote:
Originally Posted by arby
Get a reference book. Doing math on computer is cool, but learning math by looking at how the computer does it is lame.
Mathematica is 123472389743928473987x better than Maple, at least for what I used it for. Get that instead, I don't think it can show you the process though :? Most students of math can get it for free.
It has step-by step processes for stuff such as calc and linear algebra. How advanced is the stuff you are doing?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandform
I never tried mathematica though, our profs told us that it cost $100 and just to get maple for $15.
I dunno though, we don't really know what you want to use it for exactly.
I'm not sure how complex it is, I'm not the one doing it. But, it shouldn't be too complex. The class the person needs help with is Algebra I so I don't think it needs to be too complex.
Are we talking f'(x) = (sin(x)*x^3)/ln(100*x), or just x+5 = 5?
Again, I don't remember what was in Algebra I. I can't tell you that at the moment.
Then we can't help you.
All I needed to know was if it had a step by step guide for each equation in microsoft math. My question was does it do what it says it does or is it a half truth because it only shows pre-made ones. If you don't own microsoft math, then yes, you couldn't help me.
I use Mathcad, and as far as I know, that program can show step-by-step for what you calculate, and not just premade ones. I have never heard of Microsoft Math.