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I think for starting from scratch these software library interfaces (that is what they are) create way more problems than they solve, if OP is not experienced e

I think for starting from scratch these software library interfaces (that is what they are) create way more problems than they solve, if OP is not experienced enough to use them. That doesn't mean they can't get around to use them finally, but for exploring a space a tool like Alpha that is both evaluating as well as explaining seems much more useful. Interacting with Sympy and Matplotlib seems like something you would do when you have already a solid understanding of what you want to achieve.

mkl 9y ago
I'm not so sure. I use Sympy, Matplotlib, Numpy, etc. even when I am just exploring, and have little idea what I want to achieve. I do use and recommend http://desmos.com http://desmos.com, which is proprietary (but pretty limited and easily translated to Python). It doesn't lock features behind a paywall like Wolfram Alpha.
- elcapitan 9y ago
  I was just guessing from OPs post saying that they don't even have basic highschool math knowledge, from which I would assume that translating mathematical concepts into concepts in Python would probably create more difficulties than necessary, whereas in Alpha you can just dump an equation and then get an interpretation. Matplotlib in particular is kind of an expert interface for a library, at least when I last checked it out. Desmos looks interesting.
  - mkl 9y ago
    I use Desmos all the time when teaching. It's accessible to students with no programming knowledge, and the killer feature is that I can just give students a link so they can interact with a demo I've made. For example: Quadratic through 3 points (drag the points around): https://www.desmos.com/calculator/tf1f80zgug https://www.desmos.com/calculator/tf1f80zgug Pythagoras's Theorem (drag the sliders): https://www.desmos.com/calculator/dbjxbeuzk7 https://www.desmos.com/calculator/dbjxbeuzk7 Why shearing preserves area (drag the slider): https://www.desmos.com/calculator/1vykaqf7je https://www.desmos.com/calculator/1vykaqf7je

mkl 9y ago

I'm not so sure. I use Sympy, Matplotlib, Numpy, etc. even when I am just exploring, and have little idea what I want to achieve. I do use and recommend http://desmos.com http://desmos.com, which is proprietary (but pretty limited and easily translated to Python). It doesn't lock features behind a paywall like Wolfram Alpha.

elcapitan 9y ago
I was just guessing from OPs post saying that they don't even have basic highschool math knowledge, from which I would assume that translating mathematical concepts into concepts in Python would probably create more difficulties than necessary, whereas in Alpha you can just dump an equation and then get an interpretation. Matplotlib in particular is kind of an expert interface for a library, at least when I last checked it out. Desmos looks interesting.
- mkl 9y ago
  I use Desmos all the time when teaching. It's accessible to students with no programming knowledge, and the killer feature is that I can just give students a link so they can interact with a demo I've made. For example: Quadratic through 3 points (drag the points around): https://www.desmos.com/calculator/tf1f80zgug https://www.desmos.com/calculator/tf1f80zgug Pythagoras's Theorem (drag the sliders): https://www.desmos.com/calculator/dbjxbeuzk7 https://www.desmos.com/calculator/dbjxbeuzk7 Why shearing preserves area (drag the slider): https://www.desmos.com/calculator/1vykaqf7je https://www.desmos.com/calculator/1vykaqf7je