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5 Free Math Software Tools

There are many free tools that can be used for teaching math. Here are some of the best. As we all know, math software is generally quite expensive. Also, every math teacher will have their own natural preferences when it comes to the software they use. I hope you find some of these tools useful.

1) WolframAlpha

This online application is not only a math app it also has many other uses. It is a truly cross disciplinary tool. It can solve complex mathematical problems while also displaying any supporting graphs or charts. Wolfram Alpha can be viewed as a knowledge engine. As a result, it can be a powerful tool in teaching math or any other quantitative discipline. You can even get the app for your iPhone.

2) GeoGebra

This is an excellent and easy to use graphing package. You can view representations of data as graphs, in algebraic form or in spreadsheet view. It allows you to “easily plot functions, work with sliders to investigate parameters, find symbolic derivatives, and use powerful commands like Root or Sequence.” All in all, an extremely usable package for the high school math teacher.

3) Maxima

Stemming from research from M.I.T. in the late 1960s. Maxima is a powerful package that you can download for free.

4) Scilab

This is reasonably close to Mathlab. Especially when you consider that it’s free. It is also almost 100% compatible with Mathlab (note almost). For free software it’s very impressive.

5) Sage

This is another free open source tool that aims to be a free option to Maple, Mathlab and Mathematica.