Have you ever given up working on a math problem because you couldn’t figure out the next step? Wolfram|Alpha can guide you step by step through the process of solving many mathematical problems, from solving a simple quadratic equation to taking the integral of a complex function.
When trying to find the roots of 3x2+x–7=4x, Wolfram|Alpha can break down the steps for you if you click the “Show steps” button in the Result pod.
As you can see, Wolfram|Alpha can find the roots of quadratic equations. Wolfram|Alpha shows how to solve this equation by completing the square and then solving for x. Of course, there are other ways to solve this problem!
Wolfram|Alpha can demonstrate step-by-step solutions over a wide range of problems. This functionality will be expanded to include steps for solutions in other mathematical areas. Look through the following examples to see the abilities of the “Show steps” functionality.
If you need to learn how to do long division of polynomials, Wolfram|Alpha can show you the steps. Let’s try (x5–14x4+3x2–2x+17)/(2x2–x+1):
If you are stumped trying to find the limit of xx as x->0, consult Wolfram|Alpha:
When you need to find the derivative of (3x2+1)/(6x3+4x) for your calculus class, Wolfram|Alpha will find this derivative using the quotient rule.
Are you trying to integrate e2 x cos(3x), but forgot the formula for integration by parts? Wolfram|Alpha will remind you how to integrate by parts.
Wolfram|Alpha can do virtually any integral that can be done by hand. Try the integral of x√[1–√[x]]:
![Wolfram|Alpha integrates x Sqrt[1–Sqrt[x]]](http://blog.wolframalpha.com/data/uploads/2009/12/calc6.gif "Wolfram|Alpha integrates x Sqrt[1–Sqrt[x]]")
Wolfram|Alpha also has the step-by-step functionality for partial fractions. Try partial fractions of 1/(x3–1):
The step-by-step programs in Wolfram|Alpha rely on a combination of basic algorithms and heuristics including Gaussian elimination, l’Hôpital’s rule, and Bernoulli’s algorithm for rational integration. These heuristics are a logical formulation of the natural methods used by humans for solving problems. By utilizing Mathematica’s powerful pattern-matching capabilities, Wolfram|Alpha’s developers have morphed these rules into a platform for breaking down and structuring the solutions to complicated problems, which closely mimics the ways by which a human would solve problems of these natures.
The “Show steps” feature allows you to learn basic mathematics on your own, or it can simply be a nice way to check your work! It can also give you insight on different ways to solve problems. So next time you find yourself ready to give up on a math problem, make sure to check with Wolfram|Alpha. Visit the Wolfram|Alpha Homework Day Gallery for examples of how you can use Wolfram|Alpha as a learning tool for other subjects.
Am I the only one to have noticed that the steps text is incorrect.
In text it say subtract 7/3 sides when in the equation its add 7/3 to both sides.
It says subtract -7/3, which is the same as adding 7/3.
No, it’s just clunky. It says subtract -7/3 i.e. add 7/3.
Thankyou for pointing out how the ‘Show Steps’ function is triggered. I had heard of it but never met it in use. There are many such links on the answers which are easily overlooked.
I would like to know how to plot a grayscale with Wolfram Alpha. I apologize if this comment is off site.
You should be able to use the ContourPlot function from mathmatica int W|A:
http://reference.wolfram.com/mathematica/ref/ContourPlot.html
Miguel, i’d like also to know it. Sorry for offtop, nut explain us please
This is awesome!!!, but was it really worth the work :/ ???
This is pretty nice… I would like to see the interface enhanced so I could enter several math problems at once (for example: Chapter 7, problems 1-19 (odd)) and have the output in a printable / customizable format (ie a script font that looks like my handwriting).
But, this is definitely a great start! Thanks
I lol’d.
great idea brah
That would be really sweet, but that would require going through all the textbooks in all the high schools of the country and it recognizing where you are to base your school district and analyzing the textbook that that district uses.
In other words, it’s impossible.
Love the idea though.
Wonderful, this looks fantastic, great work. I can’t belief it!
Love this. Where is it going?
Wolfram|Alpha rocks my socks.
I use W|A with my Grade 9 students as we solve linear equations and go over the Show Steps button. They were amused because it is inefficient: it equates to zero first and then isolates the variable. (Please keep it that way…)
I wish this had existed when I was still in school. Easily one of the most exciting things I have seen recently.
Wolfram|Alpha. Hacks for school.
When are we going to be able to define some variables of a function as constants and not variables??! This is tremendously limiting.
congratulations on killing textbooks, wolfram. I’m sure scores of old people will be telling kids about their hey-day now.
absolutely stunning!
wow now it is going to help me a lot… because I am very poor in maths.
Thanks
Wow, really really impressive. Great work guys!
Sounds cool! great!
I shall be thankful if you please help me in solving a problem
show that
3^2008 + 4 ^2009 can be written as product of two +ve integers each of which is larger than 2009 ^182
This is mostly curiosity, but why is there now a post about this feature? Hasn’t it been implemented since wolfram alpha first started?
Or has there been a major overhaul that shows full working/solutions for more types of equations? The equations I tend to use it for, usually says (step-by-step results unavailable’
anyway this feature is awesome, and I use it quite a lot to aid my learning.
Awesome! I wish I had this feature few years ago while studying at University.
I was solving a lot of math helping other students and raising my wellfare, and this feature would be dramatically useful.
Oww.. Very curious. Awesome!
They are all easy except the partial fraction which is kind of different. Not hard but different lol lol
How to write 0.5 (1/2) in wolphram as logarithm base?
The log to the base a of b is the same as
log(a)/log(b)
I think I’m in love :O
If you try to solve a limit, but the left-handed limit and the right-handed limit are not the same, Wolfram Alpha gives both one-sided limits, but the “show steps” button doesn’t appear. Is there a way to make it come up? Or to request only one of the one-sided limits and have the button appear?
f(x) = x^2 - x + 1, f((2+h) - f(2))/h.
How could I input this equation to get a step by step process to solve this difference quotient?
Tried it. But wolfram simply spit back the equation back at me, not the solution.
WS
a good site but it must also open for other branch of math
this is totally fantastic and very useful to all students.. this is the very beginning of great change in terms of search engine ..
very beautiful site it is awesome it is a good tool for all students .it will be very nice if they can include more fields of mathematics.
The “show steps” botton does not show in any of the problems I had to do
I’m sad.
The computations this can do are very impressive, especially with integration.
However, i wish there was a way to modify the input to perform integrals according to specific methods i.e. simpson’s rule, partial fractions, ect.
Does anyone know if this as the ability, or does it have to be done specifically in a notebook?
This is very beautiful site for the children and it will help lot more to others who are not understand the maths properly.
Can you solve this;
Ten not necessarily distinct positive integers have the property that if all but one are added, the positive results are 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 89, 90, and 92.
I need some help with this.
David
I notice that maths solving problem is not correct. If any one can solve this properly.
No one can answer my question how it could be solve