Google adds graphing calculator functionality

[pokerfan]

Don't have a fancy scientific graphing calculator? Don't want to mess around with mathcad or a spread sheet. Just use Google.



Well, Google's gone an done it, turning the Internet into one giant graphing calculator. The software behemoth has brought graphing capabilities to search, letting users input a mathematical function into the engine -- or multiple functions, separated by commas. And, this being Google, users can explore the graphs more closely by zooming in and out and panning across. According to the company, it "covers an extensive range of single variable functions including trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic and their compositions." If you know what all of that means, we're guessing you're pretty psyched about this news.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/06/google-brings-graphing-calculator-functionality-to-search-still

[LeftyMom]

1. If that means students don't have to spring $100 for one, that's a big deal.

That's a big outlay for a lot of families.

[sharp_stick]

2. Some of the stuff that comes out of Google Labs

just blows me away.

[krispos42]

3. That is damn cool!

Excellent!

[JaneQPublic]

4. Dang, when I took college Math...

...we had to use grid paper and a pencil.

Dang, it's a wonder we could learn anything at all!

:sarcasm:

[tridim]

5. Any tips on how this actually works? I typed in "Graph for x/2" and got nothing.

[krispos42]

7. just type in "x/2"

and it does the graph y=x/2

[tridim]

8. Hmmm, still nothing but search results.

Do I have to turn somthing on?

Edit: Just found out it doesn't deliver results to IE. Nice monopoly move Google, you just "did evil".

[sharp_stick]

9. It should come right up at the top of the search list

make sure you hit return after typing it in so it's not just the list of preloads.

[tridim]

10. Apparently Google chose to not deliver results to IE.

Pathetic move on Google's part. Very monopolistic.

[jberryhill]

13. It may depend on your IE configuration

Type 2+2 into it, and see what happens.

It should give you 4 and a link to the calculator

[pokerfan]

14. It may have something to do with your java settings

or even your java version. Perhaps someone else with IE can try it out. I would if I could but all I have on this (Linux) machine is Firefox and Chromium. (It works on both of those.)

[pokerfan]

15. I've also noticed that sometimes you have to force it

It will interpret you function as something else and show standard google results for that. In those cases, I have to hit the "Search instead" link to get it display a graph. Perhaps that happens more often under IE for whatever reason.

[krispos42]

11. Ah. Well, it works in Firefox, if that helps any n/t

[krispos42]

6. You can expand and contract the whole grid, or just x or y.

Nice...

[eppur_se_muova]

12. Wow, it's like Apple's Graphing Calculator from 1994 !

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NuCalc

Amazing how far we've progressed in only 17 years ! :D