Solving mathematical problems on touch-based devices

Abstract

Research on the use of mobile touch-based devices for mathematics has not kept up with the increasing ubiquity of such machines. Building upon MathBrush, a pen-based system for the recognition of handwritten mathematics, we investigate the iPad as a platform for doing mathematics, with a particular focus on differential equations. This thesis chronicles the work done to bring computational capabilities to MathBrush for the iPad, including the implementation of graphical plotting features, which are relevant for general mathematics as well as for differential equations. Furthermore, we explore new ideas for creating a specialized differential equation solver application, utilizing the MathBrush recognition engine. A vision for a new pen-based interface for differential equation input is presented, and its prototypical implementation is described.