Computer Resources for Secondary Mathematics

The resources below come with the following caveats: The Web Sites are maintained by various people, organizations, and corporations, who are solely responsible for the material located there. If a link doesn't work or you find inappropriate material there, please let me know. Spreadsheets are generally written for Microsoft Excel 97, and should work in more recent versions of Excel or other spreadsheet programs that can import Excel workbooks. I tried to note exceptions, but if I missed something, please let me know. Sketchpad files require the Geometer's Sketchpad from Key Curriculum Press. These files come in formats for version 3.0 and version 4.0. In general, they are not compatible across versions. Some browsers will try to open Sketchpad (.gsp) files as text rather than sketches. If this happens, change your browser preferences or right-click on the file and save it to your machine. This is perpetually a work in progress. If you think I have something that's not listed here, you're probably right. Contact me.

Functions and Graphs

	Graphs a function with sliders for parameters using Sketchpad. GSP 3.0: anygraph.gsp GSP 4.0: any_graph.gsp
	Transformations of functions -- translations and scale changes. transformations.xls [by Nils Ahbel]
	Inverse functions -- a visual demonstration of the reflection over y = x. inverse.xls [by Nils Ahbel]
	Parametric equations with Sketchpad. GSP 3.0: parametr.gsp GSP 4.0: parametric.gsp
Linear Functions
	Exploring with slope-intercept and point-slope forms of a line. linear_equations.xls
	The accompanying worksheet. linear_equations.doc
	Exploring lines, changing slopes and intercepts. GSP 3.0: ymxb0.gsp GSP 4.0: lines.gsp
Quadratic Functions
	Exploring vertex form of a parabola. parabolas_vertex_form.xls
	The accompanying worksheet. parabolas_vertex_form.doc
	A parabola by folding paper (based on focus and directrix definition). GSP 3.0: parafold.gsp GSP 4.0: paper_folding_conics.gsp Also includes ellipses and hyperbolas. Do you know how to incorporate the foci definition of a hyperbola into this sketch? Let me know.
Exponential Functions
	Comparing linear growth to exponential growth. linear_vs_exponential.xls
	The accompanying worksheet. linear_vs_exponential.doc

Sequences and Series

	Exploring Arithmetic Sequences. arithmetic_series.xls [by Nils Ahbel]
	Exploring Geometric Sequences. geometric_series.xls [by Nils Ahbel]

Geometry

	Archimedes' estimation of circular area by doubling the number of sides of a polygon. circle_area.xls
	All those lovely theorems about chords, tangents, and secants in circles. GSP 3.0: circ_seg.gsp GSP 4.0: circles_and_segments.gsp
	The trisectrix of Hippias, in all its glory. GSP 3.0: trisecx3.gsp GSP 4.0: trisectrix_hippias.gsp

Money

	How long to pay off that credit card? credit_card.xls
	How much will you have to retire on? retire.xls
	What mortgage option is best for you? mortgage_options.xls

Trigonometry

	The Law of Sines, visually GSP 3.0: lawsines.gsp GSP 4.0: law_sines.gsp
	Generating a Sine Wave from a Unit Circle: Sketchpad. GSP 3.0: sinwave2.gsp GSP 4.0: sine_wave2.gsp
	Add in the cosine and tangent functions. GSP 3.0: sincosta.gsp GSP 4.0: sine_cosine_tangent.gsp
	Generating a Sine Wave from a Unit Circle: Spreadsheet. circle_trig.xls
	A piano keyboard generating sine waves piano.xls [by Nils Ahbel]
	Four parameters on a sine wave. GSP 3.0: asinbxcd.gsp GSP 4.0: a_sin_bx_c_d.gsp
	Using a sine wave to fit a model to data (the average temperature in Cleveland). trig_modeling_cleveland.xls

Probability & Statistics

	Explore R-squared by moving data points. R-squared.xls
	Explore binomial probability. binprob.xls (by Nils Ahbel)

Data Sources

	Fedstats, with data from the Census Bureau and other government agencies.
	The Information Please Almanac online.
	The classic distance calculator: How Far Is It?

Calculus

	Trace along a graph and watch the tangent line, derivative, and area between the curve and the x-axis. GSP 3.0: derivatv.gsp GSP 4.0: tangent_line_and_area.gsp
	Calculus In Motion (by Audrey Weeks) -- lots of Geometer's Sketchpad demonstrations specifically for calculus.

Homework Help

	The Math Forum's fabulous helpers: Ask Dr. Math. Also has a great archive.
	Math Nerds provides "free, discovery-based, mathematical guidance" ... ask them a question, or search the Archive.
	Online solutions to many questions from quite a few textbooks! Pretty cool, no? HotMath.org

Calculator Help

TI Resources (homework help, programs to download, FAQ's, and more resources)

F u n     P r o b l e m s

	William Wu's Riddles Page -- truly awesome mind-benders.
	The Math Forum's Problem of the Week
	The USA Mathematics Talent Search -- for some really challenging questions!
	But we still don't know everything ... visit some Famous Unsolved Problems!
	A wildlife population model. Change the fecundity rate and watch a stable population bifurcate until you have chaos. population.xls [inspired by David Dimsey]
The Candy Problem
	A Java Applet with a nice simple description and a great interface, from Cut-the-Knot.org
	A short article by Ivars Peterson
	A spreadsheet for five players -- LOTS of different views. candy.xls
The Birthday Problem
	A spreadsheet simulation. How many people until the first match? birthday.xls
The Buffon Needle Problem
	A spreadsheet simulation. Watch the needles fall onto the hardwood floor! buffon.xls [works better in Office 2000]
Fractals
	The Mandelbrot set on the Geometer's Sketchpad, featuring the first ten orbits of a random walk. Takes a few minutes to generate a useful picture; a few hours to fill most of the screen. mandelbrot.gsp [the image at the top left of this page]
	The Mandelbrot set on a spreadsheet, believe it or not. mandel.xls [uses recursive cell references; by Nils Ahbel]

History of Mathematics

The undisputed source: MacTutor History of Mathematics

Mathematics and Popular Culture

Math in the Movies from Sneakers to A Beautiful Mind.

Other Sources for Math Resources

	Nils Ahbel's math courses, through ahbel.com. Spreadsheets, presentations, data sets, and lots, lots more.
	Eric Weisstein's World Of Mathematics is a boundless encyclopedia of mathematical concepts, including many interactive explanations.
	101 project ideas for Geometer's Sketchpad
	A great source for interactive exploration of fun topics through Java: Cut The Knot.
	More interactive exploration through Java, focusing on the high school curriculum: Experiment and Explore Mathematics.
	A huge catalog of mathematics related news, books and web resources: Paul Cabay's Mathematics Directory.

If you know of or find any interesting or entertaining mathematics sites or resources, please let me know!

E-mail: mbuescher@hb.edu