Archive for May 16th, 2009

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Wolfram Alpha: Google of the Future?

May 16, 2009

Wolfram, the makes of the amazing Mathematica, have come out which what looks to be an exciting new tool. Basically, the concept is simple: you should be able to talk to a computer in real language and have it answer your questions. No more weeding out good vs. bad web results, etc. All the data is at your fingertips!

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It’s kind of a weird concept for people who aren’t used to Wolfram’s software, but I recommend giving it a try here.

I know anyone studying the sciences will find such a tool incredibly useful. Hopefully, people not in the sciences will be able to use it too!

Now, let me demonstrate a few searches:

First, I type in an equation: x*sin(y)

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It shows graphs, contours, and, further down, alternate form, derivatives, integrals, etc. Any physicist’s dream!

And for those of you more musically inclined, I entered a string of notes:

Picture 4They’ll play them for you, show you sheet music, and a piano! I’m assuming they mapped them right (I’m not musical…) but it was pretty amazing!

Try it out and have fun!

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