USE OF LIVEMATH IN THE TEACHING OF MATHS
WHAT IS LIVEMATH (PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS MATHVIEW)?
LiveMath
is a computer algebra system which
can manipulate mathematical equations and expressions in a symbolic or
algebraic manner. For example, you can factorise, differentiate and integrate
algebraic expressions. This feature sets LiveMath apart from most programs
which require the users to use numerical values.
LiveMath is interactive. By changing the value of a variable, all the algebraic equations and graphs linked to the variable will also change automatically and instantaneously. The picture on the right shows an example of the factorisation and the graph of a quadratic expression.
LiveMath has been bought by Theorist Interactive, LLC, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA from Waterloo Maple Inc, Canada in 1999. It was previously known as MathView.
It is easy to learn how to use the software yourself. The section "A First Example" in the chapter "Introducing LiveMath" in the User's Guide is extremely helpful to get you started.
In Singapore, contact i-Math Pte Ltd.
Tel: (65) 6742-1250
Fax: (65) 6742-1440
E-mail: info@i-math.com.sg.
i-Math Website:
www.i-math.com.sg
Elsewhere, contact Theorist Interactive at http://www.livemath.com/
A LiveMath document on the Internet is still interactive. You can change the values of the variables and any algebraic expressions linked to them will still change automatically. But you cannot change the rest of the document.
Below is an example of a LiveMath document. Try changing the values of a, b and c by highlighting the numerical values and then typing other numbers.
Note: To view the LiveMath document below, you do not need the software itself. But you need the LiveMath Plugin which is free. If you still cannot view the document below, click here to troubleshoot.
The LiveMath Plugin is designed for Netscape browsers. But it still works for Microsoft Internet Explorer although certain problems exist. Click here to download the LiveMath Plugin.