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 be used in science classes?

Science classes are likely to take advantage of a computer's ability to store and organize information. Students in a physics class, for instance, might use a spreadsheet program to organize and calculate results from laboratory experiments. By requiring students to enter their data into a computer, teachers can verify that their students have completed their assignments and also make sure that their experiment results fall within a certain range of acceptable values.

The most widely used spreadsheet program for both PCs and Macs is Microsoft Excel. To learn more about it, visit: http://www.microsoft.com/office/excel/default.asp.

Another advantage to having students work with programs like Microsoft Excel is that they will become familiar with the software that they are likely to use as adults in a business environment.

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