Maccast Members #147 - Math Tricks
Shortcuts for Math Symbols
÷ | Division sign | Option+/ |
± | Plus/minus sign | Shift+Option+= |
° | The degree symbol | Shift+Option+8 |
¬ | "not" symbol | Option+L |
≥ | Greater than or equal to | Option+> |
≤ | Lesser than or equal to | Option+< |
√ | square root radical sign | Option+V |
π | Pi symbol | Option+P |
∞ | Infinity symbol | Option+5 |
≈ | Approximately | Option+X |
Δ | Delta/Difference | Option+J |
Σ | Sum Sign | Option+W |
∏ | Product Pi Symbol | Shift+Option+P |
Ω | Ohm sign | Option+Z |
µ | Micro | Option+M |
∂ | Partial Derivative | Option+D |
∫ | Integral Sign | Option+B |
‰ | Per Mil (1/1000) Sign | Shift+Option+R |
source(http://symbolcodes.tlt.psu.edu/accents/codemac.html#math)
- Can also use the Character Viewer Palette
- System Preferences > Language & Text > Input Sources
- Check on the ‘Keyboard & Character Viewer’
- Should see new icon in menu bar, click and choose ‘Show Character Viewer’
- Select ‘Math Symbols’ from the list on the left. If you don’t see it click the ‘Settings’ (cog) icon in the tool bar at the top. Choose ‘Customize list…’ and make sure ‘Math Symbols’ is checked on.
- To use, place your insertion point where you want to enter the symbol and then double click the symbol in the palette to insert it
Calculate in Spotlight or Google
- You can type calculations into the Spotlight field (Command + Space) and get results.
- Basic Symbols (+ - * /)
- Group operations with ()
- Some of the C+ math(3) functions will work. You can type ‘man math’ into Terminal to see some options.
- 6^3 = 216 - use pow(6, 3) [pre-10.6]
- sqrt(4) = 2
- cos(n),sin(n),tan(n)
- pi*2 = 6.2831853072
- floor(n),ceil(n)
- Seems to support same types of operations and functions as Spotlight
- Can also do conversions.
- 8 cups to Tbsp
- 345 grams to oz
- 67758 Kb to MB
Grapher (formerly Graphing Calculator)
- Graphing Calculator (Free on MacOS since about 1994)
- Intended to show off the capabilities of new IBM/Motorola PowerPC chip
- Graphing Calculator was secretly developed at Apple by Ron Avitzur, an abandoned contractor who felt obligated to complete the project, and his friend and colleague Greg Robbins.[1] They also made a version for older 680x0 Macintosh computers called NuCalc 1.0. In 2005 This American Life featured Avitzur's story in episode 284, Should I Stay or Should I go?
- Found in Applications/Utilities/Grapher
- Two modes: 2D and 3D graphing; has built-in Demo Examples:
Suggest Implicit & Explicit Curves (2D) and Contours (3D)
Other apps for Math
- Allows you to write math equations on your iPad and it will convert to text and solve the equation
- You can add to the equation by writing over it again after it converts
- Erase items by scribbling them out
- Supports these math symbols
- +, -, x, ÷, +/-, 1/x, ()
- %, √, x!, |x|
- e^x, x^y , x^2 (but with exponents)
- cos, sin, tan
- acos, asin, atan
- ln , log
- π, e
- Currently only solves to 3 decimal places (workaround:
writing π= gives 3.141… but 10^6 π gives 3141592.653…) - Solving: use a ? for unknown! 5+?=13 it fills the 8 in for you! 2 * ?
- Free on Android or iOS (App Store)
- Lets you set up and build interactive Math quizzes
- Has a “scratch board” to let students work out answers (doesn’t solve like ScriptCalculator; doesn’t save the scratch work unfortunately)
- Random equation generation for Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, Division, Squares, Cubes, and Square Root problems.
- Number ranges are configurable, including the ability to require certain numbers to be in each problem and the ability to omit negative answers.
- Number and order of displayed digits can be limited, allowing for equations to conform to certain learning levels (e.g. 2 digit numbers over 1 digit numbers).
- Generates simple equations, as well as single step algebraic equations. (e.g. 6+x=12; x-8=2; 5x=25).
- Intelligent problem and "wrong answer" generation makes guessing more difficult.
- Includes both multiple choice, as well as, fill in the blank style questions.
- Activities and quizzes can be timed, either as a countdown timer or elapsed time.
- Equation settings can be saved for future use as well as shared with others.
- Multiple student profiles are supported. Includes the ability to save, review, and share the results for activities and quizzes with others.
- Problem Solver will outline the steps needed to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems.
- In addition to standard drills, activities are included (Find the Sign, Equality/Inequality and Match Math).
- Quick reference math tables for counting, addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
- Supports VGA/HDMI/AirPlay output.
- MathBoard is $4.99 in App Store
- A free app, developed in honor of Ray Eames centennial
- An interactive history of Mathematics conceived by Charles and Ray Eames as part of their “Mathematica: A World of Numbers… and Beyond” exhibit.
- An interactive timeline of mathematics. Shows events, important figures, etc.
- Nine original Eames educational films
- Free in the AppStore
- Solid, mesh, or dotted surfaces in colors
- Allows intersecting surfaces, implcit curves and surfaces
- 3D graphs are finger-rotatable!
- Free version in iOS app store; option for $1.99 upgrade (more features)
- Mathematica-compatible code, based on Python language
- Runs online on iPad/iPhone or Mac
- Has a downloadable Mac app - mathics.org
- Better math typesetting and equation formatting
- Support for Pages, Keynote, and iBooks Author.
- Tip: When in MathType, choose Style > Text (not Math), then expression pastes into your copy with same native font/style.
- Academic pricing, free trial period (some functionality even after trial expires)