Even with the danger of only producing a higher ranking for it on google, I just have to post a link to Algebrator. It gave me (as a math student) a good laugh. The thing is supposed to be a "cutting edge program", that solves "any problem from your algebra textbook", "if you are an algebra student struggling with your homework". Don't believe me? Read the "special promotion" page (notice the "linear equation" in the last screenshot!) and how it compares to other CAS. Why buy Mathematica or Maple, when you can get Algebrator for only $67? Very entertaining stuff!
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First, thanks for the link - it sure boosts the site's ranking
But, what's up with the snooty attitude?
This software is made for highschool kids. Can Mathematica or Maple produce all the solution steps and explanation for them?
And the equation is linear in 'y', which algebrator was currently solving for -
You mention on your site: "Algebrator is one of the most powerful algebra software program ever developed." This is certainly not the case, and you know that as well. You'd better mention on your site that it is a program made for highschool kids.
As for the definition of a linear equation, you might want to check wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_equation ) or any linear algebra textbook.
You might as well think about the system requirements ("any PC running any version of windows"). And the price. And the comparison sheet. Please tick "entertainment value" in the Algebrator column. Thanks.
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I realise that even a basic CAS takes quite a lot of work to program and I acknowledge that feat. But I still do think that a) this software is mostly useless and b) your website is full of misinformation and outright lies.
Let me first elaborate on point a. In my opinion it is the task of the teacher and not a computer program to teach the students how to solve mathematical problems. I have to admit that I have never used Algebrator and do not know how good it does its job in explaining everything, but I hope that every Maths teacher is better than a (non AI) computer program. My believe is that high school learning has to be and interactive, iterative process: The teacher explains something, then the students try to solve analogous problems by themselves (not by typing them into a CAS) and finaly, when problems arise by doing so, the teacher has to explain anew. At least where I live (Austria) schools work like that.
Is such the only use I can see for your programm might be in training for exams (as problem and exam generator) and maybe for checking solutions. For this second task, there are plenty of open source (and therefore free) applications perfectly capable of doing even more than just basic algebra. And a problem generator for $67 is a tad expensive -- you could byuy plenty of good Maths books for that money.Ad for point b, seraph did already list some of the misinformation on you site. Here are some more:
"Solve any problem from your algebra textbook" -- You could at least say "elementary algebra" and even then I doubt that you Algebrator could solve them all.
To the features page:
"But you will be amazed by its ability to solve any other algebra problem your teacher can throw at you!" -- I know teachers that have the amazing ability to throw problems that even Maple cannot solve. It is not too hard to find a system of simple equations which do have a solution that cannot be found easily.
"Any PC running any version of Windows" -- has already be mentioned.
The comparision chart is of course just laughable. It's a bit like comparing a motor scooter with a station wagon, saying the former is by far better, because it is easier to use.So I hope that sums it up why I have such a "snooty attitude" towars Algebrator.
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