CATO is a new user interface, developed by the author as a response to the significant difficulties faced by scientists, engineers, and students in their usage of computer algebra (CA) systems. Their tendency to use CA systems only occasionally means that they are unfamiliar with requisite grammar and syntax these systems require. The author…

Discusses the use of the symbolic manipulator which helps students solve equations one step at a time. Recommends features to look for in algebra tools. Compares 14 programs on general, graphic, numeric, and symbolic manipulation and provides short reviews of each. (MVL)

This report examines mathematical graphing utilities or function plotters for use in introductory algebra classes of more advanced courses. Each product selected for inclusion in this report is able to construct the graph of a given equation on the screen and serves as a utility which may be used by the student for an open-ended exploration of a…