You may remember I work on curriculum innovation as part of the Mathematical Sciences Strand of the National HE STEM Programme. Hazel Kendrick, who works on outreach, has been collecting a list of smart phone and tablet apps for mathematics undergraduates and lecturers. Her original request to the Maths-Prom mailing list said:
We are interested in compiling a list of free or low cost apps for smart phones which undergraduate maths students are currently using to help them in their studies or lecturers are using in their teaching.
Here are the suggestions Hazel has received so far (in no particular order), with a note about the app, the price and where to get it. These suggestions are from users of the Maths-Prom mailing list. Please contribute your suggestions in the comments!
- Mathscard
A-level maths formulae from Loughborough University
FREE
www.mathscard.co.uk/apps/ - List of maths apps for the ipad at Mike Croucher’s blog Walking randomly
Mike is also developing a list of Android maths apps in the near future
www.walkingrandomly.com/?p=2692
www.walkingrandomly.com/?p=2947
www.walkingrandomly.com/?p=3512 - Wolfram Alpha
Wolfram Alpha introduces a new way to get knowledge and answers—not by searching the web, but by doing dynamic computations based on a vast collection of built-in data, algorithms, and methods. Type in a question and it will attempt to provide an answer.
£1.19
http://products.wolframalpha.com/iphone/ - Apollonius
Apollonius is the first (and so far the only) Interactive Geometry Software (IGS) for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It allows you to make geometric constructions (such as those made using a compass and straightedge/ruler) and move their parts smoothly using the device’s touchscreen.
£2.39
Available at the Apple App Store - Appcyclon
Graphic Calculator (there are many other alternatives).
£1.19
Available at the Apple App Store - iMathematics
A maths reference guide with formulae and theorems.
FREE
Available at the Apple App Store - Differential Calculus Study Guide
A reference Guide
59p
Available at the Apple App Store - iMatrixLab
Calculates with Matrices
59p
Available at the Apple App Store - Learn Statistics
Statistical Tool – includes dynamic graphs etc
£2.39
Available at the Apple App Store - Math Ref
A maths reference guide (free for lite version)
59p
Available at the Apple App Store - Fractal Apps
There are lots of fractal Apps around, many of which are free.
Various prices
Available at both the Apple App Store and as an Android Market App - A+ timetable
Useful for students to put their timetable into
FREE
Available as an Android Market App - ES file explorer
Students can keep all their notes and coursework online and view them like a PC.
FREE
Available as an Android Market App - Apps for changing handwriting to text –e.g. the WritePad App
Useful for taking notes.
£2.39 for WritePad App
Available at the Apple App Store - Astronomy Course Assistant
Interactive reference and computational tool for students studying introductory astronomy. The app can reference information on constellations, planets, and other astronomical objects.
£2.99
http://products.wolframalpha.com/courseassistants/astronomy.html
Please contribute your additional suggestions in the comments!
Specifically for STEM I use:
Google Sky Map
HandyCalc
The Smart Tools (Smart Measure, Smart Protractor, etc)
and Wolfram Alpha
I keep a running list of all of my Android apps here
http://brokenairplane.blogspot.com/2010/11/android-app-download-market.html
Maths students should first encounter LaTeX at undergrad level, when usually writing final year dissertations. LaTeX is brilliant, but it’s often very hard to find out what command produces the symbol you want.
Detexify is an enormously useful tool. You draw the symbol you want, and it tells you the command to produce it. There are Android and iPhone versions.
I’m liking this one at the minute:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/euclid-geometric-constructions/id432735893?mt=8
Suggesting a new app: Delta: Math helper. It’s an app to create algorithms like on the calculator, but improved.
I think Elevri is worth noting. http://www.elevri.com
I got it referred from a friend and immediately fell in love with their way of communication. Their explanations are really easy to understand, and all exercises and problems come with complete solutions. At first, I was a bit considerate about the exercises being so few (they are 3, as are the problems), but then I realised that they are carefully chosen to present me with the different kind of problems in a shorty and consise manner. That really helps me save time and makes it easy to grasp what kind of curve balls that can be thrown at you on the exam.
Quizes I really like, and of course, the introductions.
My linear algebra also covered some differential equations, but I just found it ok that Elevri does not have that material when I used it. Perhaps they do now?