Mathematics and Quantitative Tools: Select Software Product Briefs
Interactive Mathematics
Academic Systems' Interactive Mathematics offers a series of multimedia lessons
in basic mathematics and pre-, elementary, intermediate, and college algebra.
The 26 topics and 92 lessons provide instructors with graphics, animation, video,
and real-time feedback to engage students and assess their individual needs.
Students work at their own pace, and, if necessary, can utilize online help
to receive instruction appropriate to their individual learning style. The program
can also be used for distance learning applications.
Mathcad 2001
The latest version of Mathsoft's technical calculation software, Mathcad 2001
features improved memory management, a new high-performance calculation engine,
and a picture component for image manipulation. Designed to serve as the centerpiece
of an engineering desktop, Mathcad 2001 is compatible with the Microsoft Office
Suite, and readily interoperates with most of the common engineering tools,
including Excel, Visio 2000, AutoCAD 2000 and MATLAB. Additionally, this release
of Mathcad allows for real-time data acquisition from National Instruments analog
I/O boards.
MathXpert Calculus Assistant
Designed to help first-year calculus students interpret concepts such as limits,
differentiation, and integration, the MathXpert Calculus Assistant offers a
self-paced learning environment with over 2,100 problems to solve. For each
problem, MathXpert carries out a step, identifies that step in red, and records
it to the right, repeating the process until the correct solution is achieved.
To ensure student accuracy, every step that MathXpert allows is mathematically
correct. Finally, a system of operation menus, automatic assistance, and written
justification guides students through areas of difficulty.
MATLAB Student Version
Release 12 of the MATLAB Student Version, including MATLAB 6 and Simulink 4,
integrates computation, graphics, and programming to offer an intuitive language
for expressing problems and their solutions, both mathematically and visually.
Applications include signal and image processing, control system design, financial
engineering, and medical research. A flexible design combined with a variety
of companion products enables users to explore data and create custom tools.
This year, this version will be also be available to students on the Windows
and Linux platforms.
Mathematica 4.1
The latest version of Wolfram's Mathematica software, Mathematica 4.1 allows
users to perform a single task, such as solving a differential equation, or
an entire solution, prototype, or application. Presentation tools include structured
outlines, buttons, palettes, hyperlinks, and calculations that remain fully
active throughout the entire session. All notebooks are stored as plain text
and can be pasted into e-mails, or put on a Web or FTP site without affecting
their quality. In addition, Mathematica 4.1 automatically chooses the appropriate
algorithms for the tasks given, but allows users to override this function with
their own method.
Data Desk 6.0
Data Desk 6.0 provides interactive tools for the examination of data and display
based on the concepts and philosophy of Exploratory Data Analysis. The program
includes tools for data exploration that simplify intuitive analysis without
requiring users to have special statistics training. Additionally, users can
run alternative analyses and linking capabilities to develop a better understanding
of data patterns, relationships, and exceptions. Also available is Data Desk
Plus, which combines Data Desk 6.0 with the ActivStats software.
SYSTAT 10.0
The latest statistical package from SPSS Inc., SYSTAT 10.0 enables users to
compare subgroups, overlay charts, and transform coordinates. Other new features
include advanced chart types such as maps, multiplots, kernel densities, Voronoi
tessellations, function plots, contours, and scatterplot matrices with 20 diagonal
density options. The software still includes extensive graphing capabilities
and statistical algorithms, an intuitive Windows interface, and a flexible command
language.
IDL Student Version
The IDL Student Version is an economical rendering of Interactive Data Language
software that enables students to use it in highly technical curricula. Built
on IDL 5.0, the Student Version integrates a powerful and flexible structured
programming language with math libraries, a broad range of statistical routines,
and state-of-the-art graphics. Some IDL features, such as IDL Save, IDL Insight,
and the ability to integrate with external programs, are disabled. Supported
operating systems include Windows (3.11, 95, and NT) and PowerMac.
