Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Educational Assets
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Free math software

By Evan Yares | April 26, 2012

I recently wrote about MathCAD Prime 2.0 and Maple 16 in an article titled Math for Engineers, in Design World.

Both MathCAD and Maple are powerful tools for doing engineering math, and are much better choices than the tool most commonly used for this: Microsoft Excel.

Yet, they’re not the only choices. Wikipedia lists 61 different computer algebra systems, 36 of which are free open-source software.

An embarrassment of riches.

William Hunter, from South Africa, recently wrote a note to me, mentioning two of his favorite free math programs: SMath Studio (which is conceptually similar to MathCAD), and Euler Math Toolbox (which is similar to Maple.)

SMath Studio is a math program with a paper-like interface. It has quite a number of capabilities:

  • Solving differential equations
  • Graphing functions in two or three dimensions
  • Symbolic calculations including solving systems of equations
  • Matrix operations, including determinants
  • Finding roots of polynomials and functions
  • Symbolic and numeric differentiation of functions
  • Numeric integration
  • Simple multiline looped programs
  • User defined functions

The software was created in 2005 by Andrey Ivashov, a St. Petersburg mathematician. (St. Petersburg is one of my favorite software development cities.) It’s written using the .NET framework, is available for Windows and Linux, and can be downloaded from the SMath Studio Forum. The forum also shows some great examples of the types of problems that can be solved with Smath. Here are a few of them:

  • Non-linear deflection of a flexible cantilever pdf
  • Batch chemical reactor pdf
  • Lateral force developed by a tire, using an early Pacejka model. pdf
  • NASA’s Atmospheric Model (SI Units) pdf
  • Using an electromagnetic shaker to drive a single degree of freedom system pdf
  • Simple Estimates of a single prop, naturally aspirated, aircraft’s performance pdf
  • Ramp Design – testing for max allowable bending moment and deflection (US Customary Units) pdf
  • Column Design – based on AISC Manual of Steel Construction (US Customary Units) pdf
  • Engine Heat Rejection Calcs – good example of working with relative temperature differences (US Customary Units) pdf
  • Calculate the Area Properties of Composite Rectangular Areas (US Customary Units) pdf

Euler Math Toolbox has been developed by René Grothmann, a mathematician at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, Germany, since 1988. It uses a matrix language similar to Matlab, and is probably best classed as a numerical analysis program. It handles symbolic computations via Maxima, an open-source computer algebra system based on a 1982 version of Macsyma.

My point here isn’t to review these programs, but rather point out that capable free tools do exist. I’m interested in hearing about your experiences with free math tools. Which ones have you used, and how have they worked for you?

3D CAD Tips

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: 3D CAD World

 

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“dw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
Motor University

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Widening the scope for machine tool designers with FORTiS™ enclosed encoder
  • Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach
  • Why off-highway is the sweet spot for AC electrification technology
  • Looking to 2025: Past Success Guides Future Achievements
  • North American Companies Seek Stronger Ties with Italian OEMs
  • Adapt and Evolve
View More >>
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Control Engineering
  • Consulting-Specifying Engineer
  • Plant Engineering
  • Engineering White Papers
  • Leap Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Educational Assets
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. We share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.