Functional differences between versions 2.0 and 3.0

 Top 

Main functional differences between versions 2.x and 3.x

The software now covers entire pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II and College Algebra. Brand new features are covered elsewhere in this manual. Below is the description of changes to the existing features.

 

"Solve Step" and "Solve All" operations

The meaning of "solve" in "Solve Step" and "Solve All" has changed: while in version 2.x it meant "solve an equation / inequality", in version 3.x it means "solve a problem".

 

Specifically:

  • If you enter an equation, inequality or system of equations (separated by the enter key) the software will perform the original "solve" operation.
  • If an analytic solution process is infeasible (i.e. in a system of inequalities), the software will attempt the graphing procedure.
  • If an expression is entered, the software will perform the original "simplify" operation:
    • if the entered expression is in a factored form (but otherwise simplified), the system will expand it (multiply out the terms);
    • if the entered expression is already completely simplified, the system will attempt to factor it.
  • If you enter multiple expressions (separated by the enter key), the system will ask you whether you want to find the GCF or the LCM, and then proceed accordingly.

 

Showing steps

"Solve all" operation displays all the solution steps at once.

 

Showing explanations

Explanations are available for every step of the solution process. After "focusing" a particular step (by single clicking on it), the "Explain" button will display the appropriate explanation.

 

Problem organization

Each problem has its own "worksheet" (much like a worksheet in Excel). A workspace may contain multiple problem worksheets and any workspace can be saved as a file. Workspace files from previous versions can be retrieved via the File | Import operation.

 

Algebraic editor

Apart from the obvious differences (full WYSIWYG editor instead of a one-line input), straight typing that users of older versions are used to is interpreted in a somewhat different manner.

For example typing xy/z will result in xyz instead of xyz1.

 

Likewise, a^2b will result in a2b instead of a2b1.

 

For further details, see Entering algebraic expressions chapter.

See Keyboard characters and Entering special symbols for a detailed description of additional features of the algebraic editor input capabilities.