Math Solver

Math Solver is a free step-by-step calculator for Algebra with descriptions!

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What is Math Solver?

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Math Solver is a free application designed to help people understand how to solve both algebraic and regular equations in a way that a standard calculator can not.

This is done by displaying the step-by-step process of solving a given equation and includes a small description of the steps required to get the final answer.

For example:

"2x+5=20"

"1/3+2"

The steps given from the program will help you learn the processes for solving these types of equations - however individuals who use it for cheating will not understand the processes of this discipline and will find it more difficult to recall solutions under pressure.

Cheating = No learning!

No learning = No knowledge!

No knowledge = No passing!

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Why?

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We all use Mathematics in our daily lives regardless of our profession or qualifications. So understanding the basics of algebra assists us when it comes to finding solutions to basic problems.

It occurred to me that the best way that I learn personally is through trial and error. An example of this situation would be if I were asked to solve the equation "2x=20". Normally, I will attempt this on paper several times before getting it right, but in the course of doing so I will try several different techniques; many of which will are incorrect. This causes substantial confusion and isn’t a very efficient way to learn. In the process of solving this problem several questions arise:

- Why is the 'x' there, and what does it mean?

- What is the answer to "2x=20"?

- Why is there an equals sign in "5x=9"?

- Why is the answer to "2x+10=-10" is "-10"?

One of my solutions to these questions was to look for a program that allows me to see the required steps in order to solve an equation. There are plenty of applications out there but they generally require payment and either don't work as required, cost too much for a student or are litered with ads.

Therefore, I decided to create a program that focuses on one aspect of learning Mathematics.

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How?

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Following the same principles of Mathematics I created an algorithm that runs an algorithm to solve an equation to find an answer according to what you typed in.

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Why an algorithm?

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We can use a regular calculator to solve any equation given to us that does not contain a variable such as:

"5+2x4+25/5-5"

The calculator solves the equation and tells us the final answer almost instantaneously:

"5+2x4+25/5-5 = 13"

Oh cool! This makes it so much easier to get a result, so I can write down my answer or brute force my way to find out how to get it for hours - but... there's one thing missing. Why is the final answer 13?

If we added in brackets to show how we solved this equation on paper ((((5+2)x4)+25)/5)-5), shouldn’t that evaluate to 5.6? (Answer is no. Brackets are in the wrong place because BEDMAS)

This application is aimed at people who are learning basic Mathematics, or who simply forget how to BEDMAS on occasion. It will both solve the problem and write a description for each step taken in order to get the final result. After this project has been completed I hope this will benefit others in the same way that it has benefited me.

Each of the descriptions for understanding the equation is based on my own subjective experiences of the evaluation process but I plan to do further user testing based on the feedback from other users.

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Thanks to these amazing people for helping make this app possible!

Project Lead:

James Veugelaers

Translations:

Deepak Nair - Hindi

Chanil Park - Korean

Sebastian abril - Spanish (Latin America)

Testing:

Emily Clemens

Artists:

Matthew Wills

Special Thanks to:

Dario Silva

Dylan Macdonald

Pauline Kelly

Elf Eldridge

Dillon Mayhew

Steven Archer

Leon North

Fiona Born