The Geometer 's Sketchpad is an educational tool for learning geometry, as well as elementary and middle school algebra. Its aim is to support the study of mathematical theory with the aid of visual elements. The utility is targeted toward students from the 3rd to the 12th grade, as well as their school teachers.
This piece of software allows you to draw geometrical figures, while at the same time you are able to calculate lengths and angles or to add markers (e.g. angle markers or congruency marks). The program enables you to make transformations such as translating, rotating, and animating objects. Furthermore, a calculator that can deal with functions such as sine (sin), cosine (cos), absolute value (abs), square root (sqrt) or logarithm(log) are also included.
Up to a certain point, the utility is intuitive enough, but understanding all that you may achieve with this program takes time, or at least, it requires substantial instructions.
Versions of the product are available for both the Windows and Mac systems.
The program is useful in helping pupils better visualize geometric theory and, consequently, understanding it better. Nevertheless, the program also takes the risk of getting children too used with relying on the AI for their calculations, instead of training the computational power of their own mind.
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