Thread: Microsoft Math

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

Originally Posted by arby

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?

Get a reference book. Doing math on computer is cool, but learning math by looking at how the computer does it is lame.

Originally Posted by Sandform

Does it show you how it was solved? Or just solve the question?

It has step-by step processes for stuff such as calc and linear algebra. How advanced is the stuff you are doing?

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.