You probably Google, but do you WolframAlpha? If not, you should and soon.
WolframAlpha is an incredibly ambitious project “to make all systematic knowledge immediately computable and accessible to everyone. We aim to collect and curate all objective data; implement every known model, method, and algorithm; and make it possible to compute whatever can be computed about anything.”
Wow. So how might you use it? Here are some practical examples.
While preparing for her case, a lawyer is trying to determine whether it was cloudy at 9 am in Binghamton, NY, on June 9, 2002. WolframAlpha produces the definitive answer and evidence.
A dieter wonders whether his lunch (1 ounce of cheese, two slices whole wheat bread, sliced tomato) is appropriate. WolframAplha gives him the complete nutritional and dietary breakdown.
A math teacher needs a 12 row Pascal triangle to engage a bored student.
A lazy crossword puzzler wants to know what words are possible with this input: _ m _ _ _ _ l _. WolframAplha’s answer: imbroglio.
An individual, thinking of moving from New York City to Phoenix, wonders about the tradeoffs related to the crime rate, median home price and cost of living.
A physician wants to predict the adult height of a 2′ 7″ two year old. WolframAlpha’s answer: 4′ 11.7″.
Obviously, there are many more serious uses. If you want to analyze a gene sequence, draw a fractal set, compare satellite orbits, determine present value, or calculate residential cooling load, among many other things, WolframAlpha is an incredible resource.
Intrigued and looking for more information? Watch Stephen Wolfram’s introductory video.