Using Calculators, desmos.com, wolframalpha?

For some problems, I use an online graphing calculator (desmos.com) or wolfram alpha to get clues for an elegant solution. Is that looked down upon? Is it a common practice to use such aids? Are there other math tools that people use, like Matlab, Maple, or Mathematica? Do some people successfully solve all or most problems without using more than just a calculator?

Easy Math Editor

This discussion board is a place to discuss our Daily Challenges and the math and science related to those challenges. Explanations are more than just a solution — they should explain the steps and thinking strategies that you used to obtain the solution. Comments should further the discussion of math and science.

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Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `$` ... `$` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$

Comments

None of the questions in the Math section require the use of a calculator (or anything more advanced). You should think about how to approach the problem, as opposed to running a code to brute force the answers with no understanding of the approach.

The Physics section requires a calculator to do some basic arithmetic. You would not need a graphing calculator for it.

Calvin Lin Staff - 8 years, 1 month ago

Thanks for the reply. I asked because I like to play fair. I needed to know what was expected.

I love this site. Thanks and cheers to all who make it possible and all who participate.

Brad Morin - 8 years, 1 month ago

I agreed with you Master.. Please, don't you cheat (doesn't like this), like this name "Jiskha (help)" should be banned from the world..

Andrias Meisyal - 8 years, 1 month ago

How did you know about Jiskha (help)? And what is it about?

Shourya Pandey - 8 years, 1 month ago

@Shourya Pandey – I know when something I want to search with Google about mathematics. Then, I click Jiskha.. Jiskha like a community to help the homework of student..

Andrias Meisyal - 8 years, 1 month ago

agreed..:)

A Former Brilliant Member - 8 years, 1 month ago

I always use .....calculators

Vamsi Krishna Appili - 8 years, 1 month ago

Calculators can help us do probs faster. But I think if we can do it by ourselves, don't use one.

Đức Việt Lê - 8 years, 1 month ago

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$