"You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by
creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives."
- Clay P. Bedford (President, Kaiser Aerospace & Electronics Corp.)

Each link above takes you to a section of this website that contains material developed specifically for the purposes identified.

If you would like to go directly to the download section, click on the "All Downloads" link.

PC Apps

Quick Access to Latest Apps (.zip files)

  Basic Algebra App version 0.7g1 Speed Practice App version 2.1
  Algebra (Main) App version 0.8c Speed Practice App for Netbooks version 2.1
  Trigonometry App version 0.7g Graph Paper App version 2.1
  Probability and Statistics App version 0.7p3
 

Introduction

The Math Suite of Apps is a set of software programs designed to help students learn by "playing" with the math they were learning. For example, if you graph a hyperbolic equation based on a certain set of parameters, what happens to the graph if you change those parameters? Using paper and pencil, this could take a long time to investigate, but using an app, the answer appears in seconds. The same holds true for changing the slope of a line, selecting a different variable to eliminate in a system of equations, and many other areas of math. Our hope is that the apps will enhance learning of some of the more difficult parts of mathematics.

The Math Suite of Apps is written in Visual Basic, which is part of the Microsoft Visual Studio. The apps are in development, so not all planned capabilities are available yet. The version number of each app is identified in the link above and is also shown on the opening screen for that app.

You may download the apps and use them to explore mathematics. They are designed for use on the PC, and are not available for Apple products. Eventually, we hope to expand the development to provide a set of apps for Android phones.

Because the apps are in development, please use them with care. We have made significant efforts to make sure the results are accurate, but you should always challenge the results to see if they are consistent with what you know. If you get a result that you believe is incorrect, please ask your teacher or email Earl at mathguy.us@gmail.com.

The following PC Apps are available on this site:

Basic Algebra App

Covers topics relating to numbers. Specifically, the app covers the order of operations, percents, decimals, fractions, prime numbers, prime factorization, find all factors, greatest common factor and least common multiple, roots and radicals, divisibility tests (for division by up to 100), and Pascal's Triangle. Upon completion, the app will also cover scientific notation and number patterns.

The app also contains an extensive glossary of terms relating to Algebra.

For more information about this app, including a look at sample pages, click here: About the Basic Algebra App.

To download the app now, click here: Download the Basic Algebra App version 0.7g1.

Algebra (Main) App

Covers topics in Algebra through Pre-Calculus, including topics well beyond those included in the Algebra Handbook. Specifically, the app covers linear, absolute value, quadratic, cubic, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic, rational and hyperbolic functions, as well as systems of equations and inequalities, exponents and logarithms, conic sections, polar coordinates, complex numbers, the Binomial Theorem, Pascal's Triangle, famous curves, and important mathematical constants. Upon completion, the app will also cover vectors, general functions, composite functions, radical functions, the Gamma Function and Riemann Zeta Functions.

The app also contains an extensive glossary of terms relating to Algebra (up to and including Pre-Calculus).

For more information about this app, including a look at sample pages, click here: About the Algebra (Main) App.

To download the app now, click here: Download the Algebra (Main) App version 0.8c.

Trigonometry App

Covers topics in Trigonometry. Currently, the Trigonometry app is not as far along as the other three apps and contains only the following capabilities at this time: definitions and values of trigonometric functions, graphs of trigonometric functions, the Unit Circle and Polar Coordinates. Upon completion, the app will also cover SOH-CAH-TOA, inverse trigonometric functions, oblique triangles, functions of two angles, trigonometric identities, trigonometric equations and vectors.

The app also contains a glossary of terms relating to Geometry and Trigonometry.

For more information about this app, click here: About the Trigonometry App.

To download the app now, click here: Download the Trigonometry App version 0.7g.

Probability and Statistics App

Covers topics in Probability and Statistics. In the area of probability, the app covers combinations and permutations, the difference between probability and odds, Pascal's Triangle, and random numbers (you can even use it to generate your own random numbers). Real life probabilities are illustrated using games like cards dice and Keno. The Monty Hall problem is also covered. Eight famous probability distributions will be covered upon completion of the app, but currently only the Normal and Lognormal distributions sections of the app have been built.

The statistics portion of the app is early in its development, so not many capabilities are currently available. Our plans are that the app will cover 1- and 2-dimensional data, the three Pythagorean Means, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, skewness, kurtosis, stem-and-leaf plots and box-and-whisker plots. In addition, the completed app will cover applications of statistics to Decision Theory, Curve Fitting, and Time Series data.

The app also contains an extensive glossary of terms relating to Probability and Statistics.

For more information about this app, click here: About the Probability and Statistics App.

To download the app now, click here: Download the Probability and Statistics App version 0.7p3.

Future Apps

We have plans to develop apps for both "Sequences and Series" and "Matrices" in the future.

Download and Installation Instructions

Download

When you click on one of the download links above, a dialog box will open asking whether you wish to open or save the file. We recommend saving the file and unzipping it to a directory of your choosing. The file will be saved where downloaded Internet files are typically saved on your PC. For Windows 10, this is the users "Downloads" directory. To unzip the file, double-click on it.

Install

In order to install an app on your hard drive:

    1. Open the directory where you unzipped the files.
    2. Double‐click on “setup.exe”.
    3. Windows may tell you it is an unrecognized app. If so, click on "More Info", then on "Install anyway."
    4. On the next dialog box, click "Install". The app should install and may open.

The above process will install the app just like any other software on your PC.

The app should appear in your Windows “start program” list. To run the program, click “Start”, then “{App Name}”. If the app does not appear in this list, click “Start”, then “All Programs” and look for the name of the app. If neither of these works, email Earl at the address below.

Check Your Font Setting

The app works best when your display is set to to use fonts at 100%. This is the Windows default setting. If lines for fractions and other shapes appear to be in weird positions on the screen, this is most likely the problem. Adjust your font setting and you should be okay. In Windows 10, right-click on your desktop, select "Display". Move the slider all the way to the left, to a value of "100%".

Thank you for trying the Math Suite of Apps.

Uninstall

To uninstall an app, and remove it from your hard drive in Windows 10:

    1. Open Windows "settings".
    2. Select “System”.
    3. Select "Apps and Features".
    4. Scroll down to the app, click on its name, then click “Uninstall”.

Suggestions for Improvement

We welcome any suggestions you may have regarding the improvement of the PC Apps. Let us know any areas that are hard to understand, any errors you find, any subjects you would like to see added, or any other ideas for improvement. Also, if you find the apps useful, it would be nice to know that also. Email mathguy.us@gmail.com with your thoughts and comments. Have fun with your math and enjoy using the apps. Best wishes!