[Blindmath] Techniques for taking Algebra through Calculus?

[Sean Tikkun]

Doing Math with a programing language, from my point of view is doable, always has been. The modules are just sub-programs that execute certain functions and algorithms. I believe some of my early programs in Basic on an Apple II did my homework for me. Later Mathematica did the same service when I was in College. When working as a TVI I taught a High School student who read braille the language and he completed his work using the Wolfram-Alpha langauge (almost identical markup as Mathematica) to make graphs and check his work. 

There are very strong Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) that are used by mathematicians and present all output on a single line (as we want it to in braille!) Not sure why the braille community has never moved towards CAS markup since all math teachers and mathematicians already recognize it. Also would be little to no backwards translation issues.

Sean


> On Feb 26, 2016, at 2:02 PM, Jamal Mazrui via Blindmath <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I recently read a couple of books that lead me to believe that algebra, calculus, and statistics may all be done with the Python programming language and science-related modules.  The titles, which a web search will find, are "Doing Math with Python" and "Think Stats."  Rather than the default Python shell, a more sophisticated one called IPython is recommended, available at
> www.ipython.org <http://www.ipython.org/>
> 
> Jamal
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org <mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org>] On Behalf Of Brandon Keith Biggs via Blindmath
> Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2016 11:43 PM
> To: blindmath at nfbnet.org <mailto:blindmath at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Brandon Keith Biggs <brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com <mailto:brandonkeithbiggs at gmail.com>>
> Subject: [Blindmath] Techniques for taking Algebra through Calculus?
> 
> Hello,
> I am looking for some ways my student can use to take Algebra through
> calculus that does not require a significant investment of time to get up
> and running.
> I know about Latex, but from what I have seen, it takes quite a bit of time
> to learn.
> 
> Nemeth does not work because my student does not know Braille.
> 
> The only other option I can think of is having a tutor there, writing out
> in huge letters, or using manipulatives to explain the concepts. I did this
> going through Statistics, but it was not fun and currently the student has
> not had much success with this method.
> 
> The accessibility person has suggested something using math ML may work.
> Has anyone worked with math ML before?
> Thanks,
> 
> Brandon Keith Biggs <http://brandonkeithbiggs.com/>
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