On 18/01/2011 19:47, Dwayne Reid wrote: > Got this in my email inbox today from the Cheapskate mailing list (cnet N= ews): > > Free download of MS Mathematics 4.0 (normally about $20). > > MS says: "Microsoft Mathematics provides a graphing calculator that > plots in 2D and 3D, step-by-step equation solving, and useful tools > to help students with math and science studies." > > I don't know how it compares to the calculators I normally use > (eCalc, Excalibur, Calc98) but it offers graphing, which the > calculators I mentioned don't offer. > > Its free, at least for now, and I thought that some might find it useful. > > > > dwayne > It's pretty nice, like a decent graphing calculator (has a virtual one=20 on the left of screen) I have it on my laptop, and while it's maybe not much comparison power=20 and depth wise to some free math software like Scilab or Maxima, it's=20 certainly a nice little package in it's own right. It has the MS (or=20 commercial as opposed to some open source) polish which makes using it=20 quite nice, e.g. all the proper mathematical symbols are available to=20 select if you wish (compared to the need to type e.g. integrate(...) on=20 a lot of maths software, IIRC you have to install Latex and other=20 packages to have similar features on e.g. Maxima) Also the graphing bit is quite nice (3D, various modes) and it has a=20 step by step problem solving feature which some may find very useful=20 (e.g. students) Roughly, a sort of intermediate package (easier to pick up) between=20 calculator and e.g. Scilab. --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .