Finite Math for Windows
VERSION 2
Howard J. Weiss
Finite Math for Windows is a user-friendly software package that enables students to easily solve problems and/or check their work in Finite Mathematics. It consists of 17 modules that correspond to the chapters in most Finite Mathematics books. Use of the software will move the students from the calculator world into the more business-like world of software to help prepare them for their careers.
About the software
The goal in developing this software has been to provide students with a user-friendly Windows program in order to enable them to easily explore the topics commonly referred to as Finite Mathematics. While students have been successfully using calculators in order to obtain answers to Finite Mathematics problems, this software package provides much more capability than a calculator.
$
Finite Math
for Windows provides more models than
a calculator. For example, straight lines can be graphed based on any one of
four forms (slope-intercept, point-slope, point-point, normal form) rather than
the slope-intercept form required of calculators.
$
It enables
students to see not only the answers but the intermediate calculations for
problems. For example, all of the computations involved in matrix
multiplication, linear programming or systems of linear equations are shown
rather than just the solution.
$
It will help
students to decide what the next step is in a procedure. For example, when
solving simultaneous equations the student can choose the next step, have the
computer perform the next step or have the computer show the student what the
next step should be.
$
It can provide
more or better visual displays for those topics that are graphical in nature.
For example, when graphing equations the parameters can be varied very easily
using scrollbars in order to see the effects of the changes on the lines.
$
It provides more answers
than does a calculator. For example, the student can see a complete marginal
analysis for linear programming with this software.
$
The software
comes with files for the examples in the most popular Finite Mathematics
textbooks including those by Armstrong & Davis; Barnett, Ziegler and
Byleen; Goldstein, Schneider & Siegel; Lial, Greenwell & Ritchie, Maki
& Thompson; and Mizrahi and Sullivan. This way the students can easily see
how to apply the software to problems in the textbook.
This program has the standard look and feel of Windows so learning the package should pose no problem. Thus, with a small investment in time in exploring this exciting, new program, students will easily be able to completely solve problems in their finite mathematics textbook
Software features
Standardization
$
The graphical
user interface for the software is a standard Windows interface. Anyone
familiar with a standard spreadsheet, word processor, or presentation package
in Windows will easily be able to use the software. This standard interface
includes the customary menu, toolbar, status bar, and help files of Windows
programs.
$
Even though the
software contains 17 modules (11 models and 6 custom calculators) the screens
for every model are consistent, so that after you become accustomed to using
one model you will have an easy time with the other models. Similarly, the
screens for the calculators have the same consistent appearance which leads to
ease of understanding and use of the calculators.
$
File storage and
retrieval is simple. Files are opened and saved in the usual Windows fashion
and, in addition, file extensions are determined by module, which makes it easy
to find previously saved files.