Calculating

While pocket calculators are still widely used in schools, computers are also becoming prevalent in mathematics and science classes. The large screens that computers offer can help students to see and understand mathematics in a way that most pocket calculators cannot. Computers can be used to plot graphs, to measure and analyze geometrical shapes, and to illustrate the principles of trigonometry. Moreover, the ability of computers to store, organize, and manipulate data makes them a powerful tool for just about any area of study.

Click on the questions below to learn more about the role of computers in various forms of calculation.

1. How can computers help math students?
2. What kinds of programs are available?
3. Is special software necessary for advanced mathematics classes?
4. How can computers be used in science classes?
5. Can the calculating abilities of computers any be applied in disciplines other than math and science?

How can computers help math students?

In basic math classes, interactive software can aide a teacher in instructing his or her students, while in more advanced math classes, computers can run software programs that illustrate and help solve problems that would otherwise be too time-consuming. Instructors are, of course, responsible for making sure that their students know how to solve problems on their own and do not rely excessively on computer technology.

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