The next version of GeoGebra is upon us and now come in a Beta version, that can be tried out. I have done this, and I will in this short review look at some of the news, hiding behind this update.
4.4 or 4.3 – Version confusion or ?
Is there a version confusion? No, but initially you could be confused by, that GeoGebra writes, that it is version 4.4 Beta, but that you download version 4.3.10.0. (i skrivende per hour 29-07-2013). GeoGebra uses, however, each 2. version, as a beta, which means, that they jump 2 versionsnumbers. It is the same tactic, being used in the beta-version 4.9. x. x, which is beta to version 5.
*** UPDATE **** GeoGebra has on the basis of this review resolved the error, as previously described in the notification here, when people are asked, if they want to upgrade to version 4.9.x.x. Nice work. The latest version of 4.4 Beta is therefore now 4.3.15.0. (03-08-2013)
Smaller filesize
Version 4.4 Beta is about 1 Mb smaller, which could be due to the fact, the CAS code has been replaced. But this I of course do not know for certain. However it is nice, that the program takes up a little less room.
New and faster CAS program code
One of the really big news, if it is not - the news -, is, that GeoGebra now uses code from freeware program Giac / Xcas. That means, that while at first glance you do not see any immediate difference in terms of visuals, then CAS portion still got a big boost in code-front. CAS-delen i version 4.2 seems to work fine, but is not quite the major rush, as you might have imagined or hoped for. This, the new code could fix. The new code solves some of the challenges, as there has been with the CAS portion in version 4.2.
With the code from Giac / XCASE:
- is the CAS portion become faster laaaangt. This can be seen by doing quite simple calculations, where 2x ² 4 x 2 shall be factorized using.
to 2(x + 1)². This simple calculation GeoGebra makes 4.4 Beta less time (calculation actually made immediately – unlike version 4.2). - can be made even more difficult calculations.
- is there or will there now making 2D/3D-beregninger with illustrations.
The big question will be, how much GeoGebra will benefit from the new opportunities. It will be certainly interesting.
Nye kommandoer i CAS Delen
Kommandoerne endnu er ikke til dansk blevet oversat. They therefore stand below in their English form, although it is a Danish version of GeoGebra. I've let the English explanation stand.
CIFactor[ <Expression> ] CIFactor[ <Expression>, <Variable> ]
Factor of the complex irrationals, oak CIFactor[x ^ 2 x 1]
Ifactor[ <Expression> ] Ifactor[ <Expression>, <Variable> ]
Factor over the irrationals, oak ifactor[x ^ 2 x-1]
New commands
Kommandoerne endnu er ikke til dansk blevet oversat. They therefore stand below in their English form, although it is a Danish version of GeoGebra. The 2 functions below do not work in the input field yet, but is about, that GeoGebra will be able to find intersections of polynomial curves (can be seen in the picture below).
Intersect[ <Polynomial Curve>, <Polynomial Curve> ]
For more intersections of polynomial curves.
Intersect[ <Curve 1>, <Curve 2>, <Parameter 1>, <Parameter 2> ]
Do the intersection of polynomial curves through an iterative (by repeating) method starting at the given parameters.
Other news
- Automatic design of sliders, that eg. make y=ax b. (is not implemented yet 29-07-2013)
- The highlight variables in the input field.
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Chrome App & HTML5
GeoGebra can be installed as an app in Chrome browser. The app will be installed by searching the Chrome web shop HERE.
The new thing in the app and HTML5 version:
- Works now offline
- Drawing pad 2 works and can be reorganized by dragging the title, as known from program.
- CAS works (to be confirmed)
- Design description works (to be confirmed)
The verdict
It is definitely exciting with the new things, when GeoGebra will be updated to the full version 4.4, but the 2 jump from version 4.2 to version 4.4 do not immediately seem so big, as the leap from version 4.0 to version 4.2. In other words,, version 4.4 does not include as many news, as in version 4.2. Still, it is always nice, that there is being developed on this excellent product, that GeoGebra of cource is.
[…] er netop nu udkommet i version 4.4 (4.4.0). A new version, which offers many new opportunities. I have previously reviewed the beta version, but a lot has happened since then, så jeg vil anmelde den nye og endelige version […]
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