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Nelson Dellis

More Dynamic Calculators in Wolfram|Alpha

March 9, 2011 —
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Remember those dynamic calculators we mentioned back in November?

Well, they’re back… with more features! We’ve released a whole new batch of calculators that cover some different areas of math.

For those who don’t remember, in November, we released calculators capable of computing integration, limits, date differences, and more. With this new slew of calculators, we are covering some other commonly asked math concepts, like vector and matrix manipulation, GCD, LCM, inverses of functions, linear approximation of functions, 3D plotting, base conversions, and currency conversion.

In the following example, we have the base conversion calculator. If you are unsure how to ask Wolfram|Alpha to do a base conversion, just ask something general like “base conversion” or “show me how to convert a base” and you’ll be brought to this calculator, where you can choose a starting and ending base, as well as the number that needs converting.

Base conversion

In this release, we’ve also added some pretty cool matrix calculators. Unsure how to ask Wolfram|Alpha about matrices? Just type in the general concept you’re looking for (i.e. “determinant”, “hermitian conjugate of a matrix”, or “addition of matrices”) and away you go!

Determinant

Thanks to another great addition, converting currency on Wolfram|Alpha has never been easier!

Convert a currency

There are many other calculators that have been added, and more will be added in the near future, so stay tuned!

6 Comments

Now if only W|A would use ALL supplied parts of speech, instead of dropping ones it doesn’t understand. Find a way to ask what a user means to apply the right ontology/taxonomy instead of just going for one (frequently the least significant) word out of a whole sentence.

i.e.:
“when was microsoft stock last at $37” gives MS stock history x $37 (useless operation, if 37 is known to be in dollars!)
“when was the last time that Microsoft stock was at $37?” is even worse – it just gives a query on “stock”

Posted by Greg K. March 9, 2011 at 3:48 pm

Is there a fee billed to you every time you use this applicationon an ANDROID phone? OR, is it just a 1 time flate fee to purchase the application? Does anyone know how this works? I just learned of this application & am interested in having access to it on my DROID 2 phone, BUT DO NOT want any surprises with HIDDEN monthly fees of FEE per use. HELP!! Thanks!

Posted by Suzanne March 9, 2011 at 9:41 pm

    Hi Suzanne, You can purchase the Wolfram|Alpha App for Android for a one-time charge of $1.99 US. Wolfram|Alpha does not charge a recurring fee. Thank you.

    Posted by The Wolfram|Alpha Team March 10, 2011 at 12:44 pm

I have just created a widget based on this. It is called ‘Convert any unit of measure to all others; and accepts the quantity as well.
We can use the ordinary input but embedded in web pages the Widgett will be useful to people who have not heard of Wolfram Alpha.

Posted by Brian Gilbert March 12, 2011 at 5:18 am

Finally a truly useful tool. Wolfram|Alpha works great for me. Thank you guys.

Posted by Jess Ricardo March 12, 2011 at 5:46 pm

Hey im not sure where else to post this but i was wondering if anyone knows of websites like this except it doesn’t just give the answer, it gives a bit of an explanation of how to work out the particular equation. =]

Posted by jordan March 21, 2011 at 5:00 am