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Wednesday, 11 May 2011

Smart Phone Apps for University Mathematics

You may remember I work on curriculum innovation as part of the Mathematical Sciences Strand of the National HE STEM Programme. Hazel Kendrick, who works on outreach, has been collecting a list of smart phone and tablet apps for mathematics undergraduates and lecturers. Her original request to the Maths-Prom mailing list said:
We are interested in compiling a list of free or low cost apps for smart phones which undergraduate maths students are currently using to help them in their studies or lecturers are using in their teaching.

Here are the suggestions Hazel has received so far (in no particular order), with a note about the app, the price and where to get it. These suggestions are from users of the Maths-Prom mailing list. Please contribute your suggestions in the comments!
  1. Mathscard
    A-level maths formulae from Loughborough University
    FREE
    www.mathscard.co.uk/apps/
  2. List of maths apps for the ipad at Mike Croucher’s blog Walking randomly
    Mike is also developing a list of Android maths apps in the near future
    www.walkingrandomly.com/?p=2692
    www.walkingrandomly.com/?p=2947
    www.walkingrandomly.com/?p=3512
  3. Wolfram Alpha
    Wolfram Alpha introduces a new way to get knowledge and answers—not by searching the web, but by doing dynamic computations based on a vast collection of built-in data, algorithms, and methods. Type in a question and it will attempt to provide an answer.
    £1.19
    http://products.wolframalpha.com/iphone/
  4. Apollonius
    Apollonius is the first (and so far the only) Interactive Geometry Software (IGS) for the iPhone and iPod Touch. It allows you to make geometric constructions (such as those made using a compass and straightedge/ruler) and move their parts smoothly using the device's touchscreen.
    £2.39
    Available at the Apple App Store
  5. Appcyclon
    Graphic Calculator (there are many other alternatives).
    £1.19
    Available at the Apple App Store
  6. iMathematics
    A maths reference guide with formulae and theorems.
    FREE
    Available at the Apple App Store
  7. Differential Calculus Study Guide
    A reference Guide
    59p
    Available at the Apple App Store
  8. iMatrixLab
    Calculates with Matrices
    59p
    Available at the Apple App Store
  9. Learn Statistics
    Statistical Tool - includes dynamic graphs etc
    £2.39
    Available at the Apple App Store
  10. Math Ref
    A maths reference guide (free for lite version)
    59p
    Available at the Apple App Store
  11. Fractal Apps
    There are lots of fractal Apps around, many of which are free.
    Various prices
    Available at both the Apple App Store and as an Android Market App
  12. A+ timetable
    Useful for students to put their timetable into
    FREE
    Available as an Android Market App
  13. ES file explorer
    Students can keep all their notes and coursework online and view them like a PC.
    FREE
    Available as an Android Market App
  14. Apps for changing handwriting to text –e.g. the WritePad App
    Useful for taking notes.
    £2.39 for WritePad App
    Available at the Apple App Store
  15. Astronomy Course Assistant
    Interactive reference and computational tool for students studying introductory astronomy. The app can reference information on constellations, planets, and other astronomical objects.
    £2.99
    http://products.wolframalpha.com/courseassistants/astronomy.html
Please contribute your additional suggestions in the comments!

3 comments:

Phil said...

Specifically for STEM I use:
Google Sky Map
HandyCalc
The Smart Tools (Smart Measure, Smart Protractor, etc)
and Wolfram Alpha

I keep a running list of all of my Android apps here

http://brokenairplane.blogspot.com/2010/11/android-app-download-market.html

Christian Perfect said...

Maths students should first encounter LaTeX at undergrad level, when usually writing final year dissertations. LaTeX is brilliant, but it's often very hard to find out what command produces the symbol you want.

Detexify is an enormously useful tool. You draw the symbol you want, and it tells you the command to produce it. There are Android and iPhone versions.

Stephen said...

I'm liking this one at the minute:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/euclid-geometric-constructions/id432735893?mt=8