Project Reading 8

MathPad2: A system for the creation and exploration of mathematical sketches

Citation:

LaViola, Jr., J. J., and Zeleznik, R. C. Mathpad2: A system for the creation and exploration of mathematical sketches. ACM Trans. Graph. 23, 3 (Aug. 2004), 432–440

Summary:

MathPad is the system that Identifies structure of a given mathematical expression by parsing and analysis of input string. It is a tool for Mathematical problem solving and visualization. Mathematical sketching, a novel, pen-based, modeless gestural interaction paradigm for mathematics problem solving is presented. With a mathematical sketch, users can also leverage their physical intuition by watching their hand-drawn diagrams animate in response to continuous or discrete parameter changes in their written formulas. Mathematical sketching can also support computational tools for graphing,

manipulating and solving equations and initial feedback from a small user group of our mathematical sketching prototype application. MathPad2 introduces a new concept of combinations of handwritten mathematics and free-hand diagrams– that allow rapid animated visualization of mathematical formulations.

Discussion:

There is a restriction of the current prototype to closed-form expressions while drawing mathematical sketches if you need to use MathPad. Thus, the restriction does not make it for generic people. I think drawing restrictions should not be posed while making a system whose base is sketching.