Introduction and Background

AutoMathic is a different kind of calculator, designed to be smart enough to actively help its user solve math problems by automating as much of the work as the user wants.  Its goal is to let the user focus on specifying the problem, and let the computer do the mechanical work of solving it.  AutoMathic is intended to shift a large portion of the burden from the user to the computer by making the program's input and output convenient to the user.

• Most calculators have dozens of buttons and math functions, but offer no assistance to its user.
• Most calculators have a one-line display for showing a single number.
• Most calculators are completely passive, requiring the user to direct every step.
  
• Some calculators have built-in equation libraries, but are they are not very flexible.
• A few calculators are fully programmable, but are difficult to use by non-technical people.

AutoMathic is different:

• Instead of dozens of functions, it is technically a four-function calculator: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.  Don't be fooled...  Lots of useful math can be done using those four operators!
• Instead of a one-line, numeric display, its output scrolls indefinitely, showing variables, expressions, and equations that are formatted and easy to read!
• Instead of passively waiting for directions, it automates most of the process (even when in the hands-on "Command" mode), but can show and explain every step of the way!
• Instead of rigid equation libraries, it has a collection of task-oriented workflows that conform to how you want to use them.  They don't even distinguish between variables for "input" and variables for "output"!
• Instead of requiring "programming" with a low-level programming language, it lets you create, use, save, and later reuse your own equations just like the built-in equation libraries!
  
• Finally, AutoMathic offers a high-level, "natural-language" interface that accepts free-form, conversational input and automatically pulls in whatever background information is needed at the time from a broad, built-in knowledgebase!

AutoMathic lets you run scripted calculations from a large, built-in library if you want to do something commonplace.

AutoMathic lets you do manual calculations by accepting expressions and equations you enter yourself, and gives you the tools to manipulate them using familiar techniques from algebra.

AutoMathic lets you do free-form calculations by translating English-like, conversational input into variables, expressions, and equations to be solved...  and then it solves them!  You tell it what you know, and ask it what you want to find out!

AutoMathic is designed to handle the kinds of problems that the user could probably solve on their own (given time and/or patience), but would rather delegate to a smart assistant, leaving themselves more time to focus on more important things...  The ability to conveniently get answers to mathematical questions makes one apt to ask more (and more interesting) questions since the program takes away the drudgery of getting answers!

AutoMathic uses familiar strategies and can show every step of its solution, allowing the user to check and document its work.  This is important because any program can make mistakes:  It may misinterpret the meaning of a statement/question, or there may be bugs in its programming.  AutoMathic may save the user from having to DO the work, but only the user can CHECK the work!

Background

The precursors to AutoMathic were created to help reduce the tedium of doing repetitive calculations involving a set of equations.  The user would specify the problem's equations, then supply whatever values were known, leaving it to the program to find the unknowns.

AutoMathic has evolved into a tool that handles a wider range of problems with less user-intervention, but the ultimate goal is still the same:  Let the user focus on specifying the problem; let the computer do the mechanical work of solving it.  AutoMathic is intended to shift a large portion of the burden from the user to the computer by making the program's input and output convenient to the user.

For a complete background of the long evolution of AutoMathic, take a look at the "Brief Timeline of History".