The
Math Interface And Syntax: Please read with attention and study
the example. It's the crux of this never-seen-before approach.
What is the process of calculating all about? Usually you have some numbers
and hope to derive a new one based on them. Maybe your annual sales
from monthly figures? Maybe the average number of eggs per day
laid by your chickens? Who knows? Aside from the numbers to
start with, you will need basic arithmetic symbols representing known
operations with two numbers: + adds two numbers, / divides a first
number by a second, etcetera.
So
what should one look for
in a software program intended to do calculations for those without algebraic abilities?
- Easy ways to
write and understand the math
operators and the sequence in which they are executed.
- A variety of
ways to designate numbers used and created with minimal characters or even just a click to avoid overbearing column / row cell names.
- If you could see the above side by side with the data used in an intuitive display, that would be amazing.
- Allowing calculations to be placed in locations that clarify the intent instead of always the cell where the result is displayed.
- Having a tool to walk
through and display the results of each operation one by one to find mistakes and build your confidence.
All these charms are accomplished by
T/Maker.
Let's
imagine a giant calculator which can display tons of buttons sitting on top a
screen of green
and white boxes in two dimensions. Formulas are not written in
T/Maker as in algebra. Rather, you compose things called Calculation
Trails. These are specified in the green boxes. The white boxes
hold the text and numbers you want to see or print when not
fiddling with the math. Each trail is made up of steps which are
numbered
and executed in number order. One step is like a sequence of buttons pressed on a calculator. T/Maker does the step moving left to right. Unlike a formula, one trail can calculate many values. Also there is no need for parentheses or confusing rules of precedence.
You
can see some Basic Operators in the middle of the toolbar. There
are tool tips to learn most everything. The
exclamation point ! operator enters a value into the calculator. But which value? In T/Maker there are choices to make. A
key to understanding T/Maker is learning to read the
operator symbol and see immediately what value is designated with it.
That value is most often used in conjunction with the value already in
the calculator. When the symbol requires such a value and none follows the operator, T/Maker
takes the value from the adjacent white column. Step 1 sets
the value
in the calculator to 2.
Step 2 adds the value 3 to the calculator since the operator is followed by a constant. The presence of 55 in the white
cell is not relevant.
Columns in T/Maker are named from A to Z.
When an operator is followed by a single letter, the value used will be
the
one in the column named. In step 3 the value in the calculator is
multiplied by the value in column D which is 5. As with step 2, the
number in the adjacent cell is of no consequence. With experience, you
learn to choose among possibilities to achieve a clear and tidy presentation of what is going on.
 There are things called "Functions" that typically take the value in the
calculator and replace it with a value derived from it. "sqr" is one
that replaces the calculator's value with its square root. An equal
sign = is an Output operator and is followed by a designation of where
to place the current calculator value. The same is true of the number
symbol #. The difference is the = also clears the calculator to zero while
the # leaves the value in the calculator unchanged for further
manipulations.
T/Maker's calculator offers memory storage slots you can
name yourself. A memory name must start with two letters optionally
followed by more letters and numbers. They must not be the same as a keyword in the toolbar. Choose them for their rememberability. They are immensely valuable for intermediate results. In
Step 4, the square root value in the calculator is placed in a memory
named SaveIt.
Step 5 enters 4 in the calculator, adds the value in the SaveIt memory and
puts the result in cell C6 -- column C row 6. Cell
names are discouraged. They have no intuitive value and often lead to
mistakes. Yet, they are the way algebraic spreadsheets specify most
values.
Step 6 determines the area of a circle from its
diameter
using the built-in memory pi. Sometimes it's best
to do a whole
calculation in one green cell. In Excel, the formula to do this would be
put in cell C8 as: =((b7/2)^2)*PI(). That might as well be Chinese for millions.
For FYI Sake: "Special" functions require multiple
input numbers as with a mortgage payment (amount, interest rate, length of loan). By convention the parameters are placed in fixed name
memories. "Flow Control" allows impromptu exits from or restarts of
various calculations. A "When" clause describes a conditional test so
different situations can be handled by different calculations.
T/Maker's calculator is
completely programmable and useable to create simulations,
perform binary searches, etcetera. Whiz kids will not be stifled. Still, giving a completely ignored audience a way to do
daily life bookkeeping and calculations sans algebra is the major breakthrough here.
Even though you have learned a lot,  please watch this video demonstrating the above and some surprises in real time. Size the new window as needed. |
Some
say teach everyone algebra. Others say let many learn practical math.
Meanwhile graduating seniors and the population at large are setting
new lows for numeracy measures. And, how do you do this "practical
math" easily when every spreadsheet is driven by the abstract notation
you are trying to avoid? Another answer: come up with a new tool
founded in arithmetic. Nobody forgets arithmetic. T/Maker relies on a
hand calculator style syntax. It does have some non-esential
capabilities that might be distracting. And it also requires an
avoidable
package from Oracle that hinders a wider distribution. But the user
interface and syntax (the unique ideas here) can be
tested on students and others using this version. With help from a
Microsoft or Google, it could be slimmed down, polished up, and
dispersed to millions with supporting tutorial videos.
