M.W. Milton
On-line Graphing Calculator
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(repeat visitors click here for immediate access to volume 1)
(repeat visitors click here for immediate access to volume 2)

The M.W. Milton Mathwright microworld applets are designed to simulate some of the major features of standard graphing calculators. They are offered as a free service by the Computer and Mathematical Sciences Department of the University of Houston-Downtown. In addition to carrying out a variety of numerical and symbolic computations, M.W. Milton: 1) graphs and tabulates functions of one variable; 2) plots data points; 3) fits selected curves to data points; 4) solves simultaneous systems of linear equations, up to 6 equations by 6 unknowns; 5) graphs functions of two variables; 6) performs row operations with matrices; and 7) graphs polar functions and parametric curves (volume 2). They also can calculate average rates of change, instantaneous rates of change (derivatives), and areas under the curve (definite integrals) for functions of one variable. The authors hope the microworlds will prove useful for teachers and students in College Algebra, Precalculus, Applied Calculus and Calculus courses, and may provide an alternative to the purchase of expensive graphing calculators. The microworlds look best when viewed at resolutions 800 by 600 pixels or greater. You must be using MS Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher as your web browser along with a recent version of Windows (except possibly Windows 2000 or Windows NT). The authors may be contacted at the following email address:

wallerw@uhd.edu

We would be glad to hear any comments, criticisms, or suggestions.

How do I start M.W. Milton?
M.W. Milton requires installation of a free plug-in, the Personal MathwrightWEB Control, which can be freely downloaded here. You can also download this plug-in at http://www.mathwright.com/lr_bookstore.htm. Once this plug-in is downloaded and installed, click here to start M.W. Milton (volume 1). The applet takes a few seconds to load, and documentation is contained on the same page just below the applet window. You may want to enlarge the applet window to fill the entire screen by toggling the F11 key.
Note: If the applet won't show, probably you need to install the MS Java Virtual Machine (JVM). You can install this program at http://www.mathwright.com/lr_mathwrightweb.html.

What is a Mathwright microworld?
Mathwright is the premier software for creating and delivering sophisticated, powerful, and interactive mathematical and scientific applets designed for educational purposes. Mathwright is the product of many years of development by its chief architect, James White at Bluejay Lispware, in consultation with math teachers at various levels. Mathwright applets are paginated into books known as "microworlds." You can learn more about Mathwright and microworlds by visiting www.mathwright.com.

Do I need to configure my system in any special way?
Your computer must be configured to use MS Access Active Data Objects (it may be already). This configuration needs only to be done once. You can tell if you need to do this configuration if the data window on the left-hand side of the Graphing Calculator page of the microworld (page 2) does not display properly. You can find detailed instructions in the M.W. Milton applet by going to the 3D Graphing page (page 8), which is accessible through the 3-Dimensional button located on the bottom right-hand side of the Graphing Calculator page (page 2). Click on the Instructions button and choose the Introduction tab on the left. Select your version of Windows on the right and follow the instructions.

Can I use M.W. Milton off-line?
 An identical off-line version of M.W. Milton is available for users who do not have continuous Internet access. This version requires installation of a reader program different from the plug-in used to operate the Internet-based version. Contact the authors for details of downloading and starting this version.

Copyright notices:
The trademarks "M.W. Milton" and "Milton" are the exclusive property of the University of Houston-Downtown. All rights are reserved.

The M.W. Milton microworld applet is the exclusive property of the University of Houston-Downtown. All rights are reserved. Any use of this applet for commercial purposes without written permission is prohibited.

The trademark "Mathwright" is the exclusive property of Bluejay Lispware. All rights are reserved.

The Personal MathwrightWEB Control program is the exclusive property of Bluejay Lispware. All rights are reserved. Any use of this program other than the use described on this page is prohibited.

Acknowledgements:
The development of M.W. Milton was partially supported by the Technology Teaching and Learning Center of the University of Houston-Downtown.