Open Source Math Software For Education?

Rui Carmo writes "Now here's something you don't get asked every day, but which a friend happens to need for her kids: If you had to suggest Open-Source software for mathematics - somewhere from high-school to freshman level, and not merely for 'pure' mathematics, but also applicable to physics and statistics (the kids are considering going into Applied Maths and Engineering), what would you point people toward, assuming they have access to both Linux and Windows? I know this is a niche thing and that there is nothing out there that even comes close to Wolfram's excellent Mathematica (which I used on my old NeXTCube), but surely something along the lines of (or simpler than) Calculation Center exists?" The Knoppix-based Quantian might be a good place to start; what math software do you recommend?

Comments

Math Software?

[jtbauki]

The whole technology upgrade the schools have been getting doesn't seem to be making learning more efficient. It seems like a big waste of money.

If a kid doesn't spend time studying his books, why would he start studying his software?

Why software?

[Hatta]

There were no computers in my middle/high school math classes and I learned math just fine. What is your friend trying to do that couldn't be done better with pen and paper and old fashioned teaching? Computers aren't a panacea.

Re:Why software?

[upsidedown_duck]

But, those shiny colors can motivate them.

In the worst way. "Hey, those fractals look pretty cool, I think I'll sign up for this advanced fractals course." --semester begins-- "Holy flying fluke, Batman, where did these equations come from?!?" --drops class, ends with less motivation than before--

For a high school freshman . . .

[kfg]

I wouldn't recommend software at all. I would recommend something we call "pencil and paper." Learning mathematics (and reading music, and a number of other such undertakings) is as much a mechanical skill as an intellectual one and the quickest way to the brain is through the fingers.

Come back when they're in college and ask again.

KFG

OT: Learn the math, then use the tools

[davidwr]

I know this is a bit off-topic, but it can't be overemphasized:

If possible, students should learn the principles behind the math before they are allowed to use fancy tools like calculators and computers.

My high school teacher made us learn logarithms and trigonometry using a pencil, graph paper, and tables, THEN we got to use a calculator. As for calculus, we did all our graphs by hand, sub-$200 graphing calculators weren't available back then.

I hope you get some good answers in this thread.

I've always loved this quote

[MerlynEmrys67]

I know this is a niche thing and that there is nothing out there that even comes close to Insert excellent software that does just what you want , but surely something along the lines of (or simpler than) Insert Open source project here

So, what is wrong with people doing a good job and creating value, getting a little bit of that value back so they can pay rent ?

Just wondering

Re:I've always loved this quote

[dougmc]

So, what is wrong with people doing a good job and creating value, getting a little bit of that value back so they can pay rent ?

Nothing. Exactly like there's nothing wrong with telling people that there's something out there that does exactly what they want and is expensive, and that there is something with some/much/most/all of the functionality but it's Free, Open Source or Cheap.

Re:Octave?

[beefstu01]

Educational versoin is around $150/yr which includes the symbolic toolbox. That, I must say, is a darn good deal for MATLAB, considering it does a whole helluva lot. Everything that a high schooler would ever need to do, and a lot more. If you want math software, shell out the $150 (less than the cost of a textbook) and get Matlab, it's the best math software possible

That being said, the best software for math is no software at all. Paper and pencil, that's it. Over at my college, all engineers are required to go through four semesters of math (2 calc, diff eq. and linear algebra), and no calculators or tech tools are allowed for either course. And yes, we did need to plot slope fields, draw 3d representations of functions, etc... It's more important to know the concept of doing a problem than crunching numbers. The only time I use MATLAB is when I'm working on my design project-- I do the design, I setup the equations, MATLAB crunches the numbers for me.

Remember, number crunching != real math. Theory is the most important thing to learn.

Re:Octave?

[gilroy]

Blockquoth the poster:

I've never been allowed to use a calculator and I'm much better off for it.

How do you know you're better off for it? Maybe, if calculators had been allowed, you'd've been able to get to deeper concepts faster. Maybe you'd have been able to play with function and form and plots, and discovered chaos.

'Course, maybe not. But it seems to me that a blanket statement like yours is essentially unsupportable, and generally counterproductive. There's room for pen-and-paper, or even just brain work, but IMHO, there's room for integrators and plotters.

Put another way: When I took math in grade school, I had a teacher who also didn't believe in "high tech" -- like the pencil. We did everything in ink. Her theory was, if it was in ink, you couldn't correct a mistake -- so you wouldn't make any. It was an insane educational theory, of course, and bore no relation to what actually occured.