If you're scientific or mathematical work involves highly complex linear and non linear problem solving, then you may find that Octave provides the power you've been looking for.

Octave is a high-level language developed by the open source community which functions simply by providing a command line interface for solving linear and nonlinear numeric problems. For those that are familiar with Matlab, they will have few problems picking up Octave because it works in conjunction with the former language.

The program basically features several very powerful tools for solving the kind of linear algebra equations that would send shivers down the spine of even the most experienced mathematician. According to the developers, it also includes functions for manipulating polynomials and integrating differential and differential-algebraic equations if you know what those are in the first place! The one bonus for those familiar with other languages is that Octave can also be extended or used in conjunction with modules written in C++, C, Fortran and others.

This is an extremely complex language that only those familiar with Matlab or Fortran will pick up quickly. Anyone else should be prepared to put a lot of hours in although the problem solving skills it will provide you with seem virtually limitless.

Download Octave 3.0.1 in Softonic

Graph is an open source application used to draw mathematical graphs in a coordinate system. Anyone who wants to draw graphs of functions will find this program useful. The program makes it very easy to visualize a function and paste it into another program. It is also possible to do some mathematical calculations on the functions.

Draw functions

Graph can draw normal functions, parameter functions, and polar functions. You can use a lot of built-in functions, e.g. sin, cos, log, etc. You may specify color, width and line style of the graphs, and the graphs may me limited to an interval. It is also possible to show a circle at the ends indicating open or closed interval.

Interact with other programs

You can save the coordinate system with graphs as an image on disk either as a bitmap (bmp), Potable Network Graphics (png) or metafile (emf). You may also copy the coordinate system into another program, e.g. Microsoft Word, either as a normal image or as an OLE object, which may be edited later by double clicking on it.

A lot of options

While still easy to use Graph has a lot of customization possibilities, e.g. fonts, colors, axes style, grids, etc. The axes, which may by normal or logarithmic, can be placed either by entering specific values, or by moving or zooming with the mouse.

Evaluate

Given an x-coordinate Graph will calculate the function value and the first two derivatives for any given function. Alternatively the function may be traced with the mouse. Graph can also fill a table with evaluated function coordinates in a user specified range. Data from the table can easily be copied into another program, e.g. Excel.

Calculate

Graph can help you calculate the area under a function in a given interval and the distance along the curve between two points on the function. The program can also show the first derivative of a function, and create tangents and normal lines to a function at given coordinates.

Point series and trendlines

You can create series of points with different markers, colors and size. Data for a point series can be imported from other programs, e.g. Microsoft Excel. It is possible to create a line of best fit from the data in a point series, either from one of the built-in models or from a user specified model.

Shadings and labels

Graph can insert shadings used to mark an area related to a function. Shadings may be created with different styles and colors in a user specified interval. In addition to the optional legend used to describe each function, a label may be added anywhere in the system. A label can contain text with different fonts, images and objects created in other programs.

Download Graph 4.2 in Softonic

If you're a biomedical student or serious scientists then you'll have to perform some pretty complex linear and non linear calculations.

R is an attempt to provide a wide variety of statistical analysing - namely linear and nonlinear modelling, classical statistical tests, time-series analysis, classification, clustering methods and graphical techniques. The developers have chosen the S language as what they call the "vehicle of choice" for research in statistical methodology. The main strength of the program is that it can produce high quality, well defined plots including mathematical symbols and formulae. The aim has been to put control in the hands of the user although it has to be said, the user needs to know exactly what they are doing with such complex tools to get any real benefit out of it other than drawing pretty graphs. Since it's open source however, it's very open to customisation by it's users so if there's something you don't like, you can access the source code easily.

A very professional analytical tool that's strictly for experienced or Phd level scientists - beginners stay well away.

Download R-project 2.6.2 in Softonic

Those of us who feel more attracted by books may have enough with the Windows Calculator, but mathematics people definitely need something more. Here's where Derive 6 comes in handy by presenting you with a wide variety of mathematical tools ready to perform almost any kind of maths operation.

The program displays a blank interface where you insert numbers, expressions, symbols and everything you need to create your calculations. The data is entered through a command line and added in consecutive lines on the program's interface. Besides using your keyboard, you can also use the program's buttons to enter certain symbols which may be harder to find on your keyboard configuration. You can then let Derive solve the problem and also get it printed on paper for further study.

All the operators and commands are conveniently categorized into a menu which, together with a comprehensive help system, make the program very complete and easy to use – that is, if you have some basic maths knowledge. Otherwise, you may as well stick to the Windows Calculator!

Download Derive 6.1 in Softonic

There are Four sections to choose from; Circle, Area, Surface Area and Volume. For the calculations used in this program "Pi" has been rounded off to 10 decimal places.

Calculates and converts for area of triangles, trapezoids, circles and the surface area and volume of cubes, pyramids, cones, prisms, cylinders and spheres. There is also the option of converting the calculations to various units of metric and imperial measurements. Also there is a decimal imperial window to convert your values from and to decimal yards, feet, inches and fraction values to yards, feet, inches and fractions. Pick the area you need, put in the numbers then it is automatically done.

Download Geometry Calculator 1.2 in Softonic

Having trouble with your maths homework or have some serious mathematical equations to solve? Eular Equation Solver is a powerful mathematical tool, small and simple designed to help you solve mathematical eular equations.

I'm no maths wiz so I really wish I'd had this when I was in algebra class. Simply fill in the required fields with the hardest equations you can think of, click "Calculate" and it not only gives you the solution but also reveals a graphical representation of the result. The program has several fields - the equation itself, the values delta, the X values and the initial values of X and Y etc.

The program also doesn't require any installing or unzipping - just download it and the .exe file runs it immediately. A very powerful tool for cheaters and professionals alike.

Download Eular Equation Solver 1.0 in Softonic

To be honest, I never thought about the necessity to print blank sheets of graph papers. But in case you ever need such a thing, here's the right application for you.

Graph Paper Printer is a simply designed, easy-to-use tool with which you can print a wide variety of graph papers – obviously blank ones - that you later on can fill in with anything you want. The program features many different types of graph designs, from Cartesian paper to hexagon, triangle or brick patterns, including also tables and music manuscripts.

You only need to choose the kind of graph you want to print and adjust it to the size of your paper. Most of the graphs have a few configuration options relating to line width or space between lines, but you won't be able to add your own values – just choose among the ones Graph Paper Printer offers.

If you need any kind of graph paper, use Graph Paper Printer instead of running to the mall and you'll get it at home in a very easy way.

Download Graph Paper Printer 4.0.3 in Softonic

Have fun learning fractions and check fractions homework easily. The graphics (fraction pies) help those new to fractions visualize the concepts. Version 2 is not quite as wacky as it's predecessor but is just as easy to use. Click on any blank area to choose your own customized color.

Download Wacky Fraction Calculator 2 in Softonic

MathProf is an easy to use mathematics program. Through the use of two and three dimensional graphics, MathProf can display mathematical correlations in a very clear and simple way.

The program covers the following areas in approximately 180 subroutines:

Analysis
Geometry
Algebra
3D Mathematics
Stochastics
Vector algebra
Linear algebra

MathProf helps Junior High School students with problems in Geometry and Algebra. High School and College students, seeking to expand their knowledge into further reaching mathematical concepts find this program very useful as well.

Download MathProf 4.0 in Softonic

If you're a serious mathematician or studying advanced mathematics or physics, then Math Mechanixs will be of much interest to you. It is not a training aid or a spreadsheet program - rather it works using a Math Editor (as opposed to a Text Editor) allowing you to type the mathematical expressions similar to the way you would write them on a piece of paper.

The software uses a multiple document interface so that you can work on multiple solutions simultaneously. There is a fully featured scientific calculator which includes a very useful integrated variables and functions list window so that you can easily track defined variables and functions.

Particularly for those that have to produce mathematical presentations, Math Mechanics enables you to produce some very impressive 2D and 3D diagrams. The graphing utility allows you to label data points, as well as zoom, rotate and translate the graph. This can seem daunting at first but fortunately there are several tutorials available that will guide you through it.

This a powerful and versatile mathematical software that anyone working on mathematical projects will find useful.

Download Math Mechanixs 1.2.0.2 in Softonic

Math Studio is a tool for high school teachers and students. Function graphing and analyzing: 2D, 2.5D function graphs and animations, extrema, root, tangent, limit,derivative, integral, inverse; sequence of number: arithmetic progression, geometric progression; analytic geometry: vector, line, circle, ellipse, hyperbola and parabola; solid geometry: spatial line, prism, pyramid, cylinder, cone, dado and sphere; Ability to save graph as data file or bmp file; Ability to save animation as AVI file; Ability to move, zoom in, zoom out and rotate the scene.

Download Math Studio 2.1.7 in Softonic

3D Grapher is a feature-rich yet easy-to-use graph plotting and data visualization software suitable for students, engineers and everybody who needs to work with 2D and 3D graphs. With 3D Grapher you can easily plot the equation and table-based graphs, zoom them, rotate, view at any angle and even animate. You can draw the unlimited number of graphs in one coordinate system to visualize and analyze the domains of functions and their intercepts.

Download 3D Grapher 1.21 in Softonic

Brain Tease II was developed to help you have fun while exercising your brain. This application helps you improve your focus and concentration skills and is appropriate for all ages. Sound is supported. You can turn sound on/off from the menu bar. High scores and settings for sound and difficulty level are saved between sessions.

Download Brain Tease II 2.0.0 in Softonic

Fractals have always been fascinating for their characteristic of never ending and rebuilding themselves each time you zoom in on them. It’s a never ending journey and a never ending world. With Fraqtive you can play with fractals, creating and editing their parameters, changing tones and shades.

If you are a mathematician you will probably understand what all the parameters stand for and what you can obtain by changing the X and Y values, the zoom factor and the rotation angle. If you are just curious like me, change the settings and see what happens. I managed to create a perfect pink rectangle which doesn’t really look like a fascinating fractal!

There is also a 3D rendering feature which is very nice, you can rotate it with the mouse and zoom in and out. Unfortunately, unlike the 2D rendering where you can zoom in infinitely times, in the 3D mode, you only have a section of your fractal to play with, but it doesn’t recalculate itself if you try to enlarge the image.

Fraqtive allows you to create your personalized fractals. The full screen mode lets you immerse fully in this psychedelic world and take screenshots for your mathematical studies or, more commonly, for beautiful wallpapers.

Download Fraqtive 4.3.4 in Softonic

Schoolteachers and Lecturers will find MathWriter useful for producing notes,reports,and test papers. The program is designed so that an expression may be written on the screen, and then translated into a bitmap image of required size. The image may then be subsequently imported to a Microsoft Word document as a "picture" or incorporated into a Web Page as an Image.

Download MathWriter 4.3 in Softonic

Math Practice was developed to help you practice math (arithmetic, simple algebra and roman numerals) skills. Each skill (add, subtract, multiply, divide, algebra and roman numerals) has three skill levels (easy, medium and hard). The algebra problems are to solve for x. Select the desired skill and the skill level.

A new problem will be displayed. Type the answer into the field provided and click on the "Enter" key (or press Enter/Return). If you are correct, you will see "Correct" displayed, and the Correct score will be incremented. If you are not correct, you will see "Incorrect" displayed, the correct answer will be displayed and the Incorrect score will be incremented. Click on the "New Problem" button to get a new problem. If your answer is correct, the "New Problem" button will be pressed for you automatically after a few seconds. The % displayed is your overall score in percentage. Clicking on the "Reset" button resets all scores.

Sound is supported. When you have ten correct answers you will hear applause. Sound can be turned on/off. Settings for sound, skill, and skill level are saved between sessions.

Download Math Practice 3.0.1 in Softonic

Introduces the rules for the multiplication and division of positive and negative integers, followed by the concept of addition and subtraction. Teaches the easy way to remove brackets. With these basic skills, students will be able to do calculations of integers easily.

Simple mental exercises at the end of each session help to strengthen the concepts learnt.

PanIntegers is capable of generating thousands of sums for drills to ensure that the student masters these very important basic skills which will be needed in future for the learning of algebra. It includes sums on addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, order of calculations, removal of brackets and simple indices such as (-3)2 + 6.

The sums get progressively more difficult if a student is doing well. If a student is doing badly, the numbers will be kept simple to let him focus on the concepts.

Download PanIntegers 2.0 in Softonic

Geometry Expressions is the world's first Interactive Symbolic Geometry System. This means: Geometric figures can be defined by either Symbolic Constraints or numeric locations. Measurements on your drawing are not only presented numerically, but also expressed symbolically as Mathematical Expressions. Your drawing comes to life via parametric, symbolic animation. All the usual constructions are available but also powerful, new symbolic constraints. Geometry Expressions can be used as a stand-alone program or in conjunction with your favorite algebra system via MathML input and output.

Think of Geometry Expressions as a geometry front end for your algebra system. Or think of it as an algebraic extension of your geometry system. Or think of it as a stand alone system that puts the mathematics back in geometry.

Download Geometry Expressions 1.1 in Softonic

Math Calculator is a feature-filled mathematics app designed to help you solve even the trickiest of problems with ease. You can use Math Calculator to calculate expression, solve equation, find extremum, calculate derivative and integral.

Download Math Calculator 2.1.10 in Softonic

Sicyon is an all-in-one scientific calculator for every student and professor, researcher and developer - everybody using physical or chemical formulas and tables of constants. It is easy-to-use and has everything you need to calculate or analyze expressions or program functions (VBScript/JScript). Designed to drive user productivity, Sicyon combines an intuitive interface and an object oriented approach to provide a fast learning curve while staying at a high level of efficiency.

Download Sicyon Pro 4.53 in Softonic