The Integrator
By Murray Bourne, 24 Oct 2007
Have you ever tried The Integrator from Wolfram?
You can input an indefinite integral and The Integrator outputs the answer as an image:
There are other output options, including a text-based 'input form' for use in other calculations:
(-(x*Sqrt[1 - x^2]) + 2*x^2*ArcCos + ArcSin)/4
From Inside the Integrator:
The Integrator uses webMathematica technology to bring the computational capabilities of Mathematica to the web.
This is what happens:
When you type in an integral, The Integrator uses webMathematica to send the integral to the Mathematica kernel, which computes the result using the Integrate function. The result is then embedded into the web page as typeset output.
I wrote recently about the need to improve math notation because the current mess is very confusing for students.
Mathematica's notation would be a good starting point for this improvement (as suggested by David in a comment in that previous post).
Example: Type Sqrt[Sin] for the square root of the sine of x.
- Names of functions start with capital letters.
- Arguments of functions are put inside square brackets.
- Multiplication is indicated by a space.
I would like to include the Integrator on my Interactive Mathematics site, but the costs are rather prohibitive.
So go ahead and throw an integral at The Integrator. But remember, not every expression can be integrated.
See the 3 Comments below.
