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Manipulate and explore math problems from the comfort of your Google Chrome browser with this tool

Manipulate and explore math problems from the comfort of your Google Chrome browser with this tool

Vote: (14 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: desmos

Works under: Windows

Also available for Android

Vote:

Program license

(14 votes)

Free

Developer

desmos

Works under:

Also available for

Windows

Android

Pros

  • Includes all the functions of a traditional graphical calculator app
  • Clear images
  • Intuitive easy-to-use tools

Cons

  • Requires some knowledge of algebra to use
  • Needs to be installed into a browser to work

Desmos Graphing Calculator is an extension for Google Chrome that allows you to work with and explore math equations. You're able to build tables, graphs and charts simply by drawing with your mouse or the touchscreen.

All of the features of a dedicated physical graphing calculator come bundled with Desmos, which makes it suitable for students as well as those who need to perform complex calculations for work. It's also able to make simple animations and draw images, which makes it all the more attractive to those who have to use it for presentations.

Teachers will find that Desmos doesn't block their basic screenshot tool, so they could simply use the Print Screen key to export a detailed image if they needed to. Math teachers and even students will probably appreciate the ability the alter graphs with sliders and other control widgets.

Zooming in on a diagram is as easy as manipulating one of these sliders. While you won't need to do this for a majority of equations you solve, it's helpful for those that include theta constants and algebraic variables that produce a much more complex graph than usual. You may want to experiment with the trigonometric functions simply because it's so easy to produce aesthetically pleasing patterns with them.

Pros

  • Includes all the functions of a traditional graphical calculator app
  • Clear images
  • Intuitive easy-to-use tools

Cons

  • Requires some knowledge of algebra to use
  • Needs to be installed into a browser to work