2.3.1
2021-11-28
Optimized the indirect-solution strategies to avoid useless hypothetical assignments to variables, such as those that have been simplified out of equations!
- e.g. The useless hypothetical value for "s" in "How many [feet/(second^2)] is 5.5 Gee?" which simplifies from "nss/f=5.5(9.8)ss/m" to "n/f=5.5(9.8)/m"
Improved the readability of natural-language-based answer displays by removing some unnecessary spacing (added during the parsing phase) around math symbols!
Enabled Pinch-to-Zoom for the iPad on Help and "View File" screens!
New vocabulary for (singular and plural forms of) "fraction words" written as numbers:
- 3rd, 3rds, 4th, 4ths, ..., 20ths, 30ths, ..., 100ths, 1,000ths, etc.
Standardized the usage and translation of "micron" to the official SI unit "micrometer"... This can streamline problem-solving by defining the equivalence of those terms through a direct, vocabulary-level translation instead of using an indirect, equation-level mathematical fact.
Fixes:
- iPadOS 15+ bug fix for the input line, Command-mode buttons, or bottom bar being hidden after showing the iPad keyboard for dialog box input, but only if the iPad's Keyboard Shortcuts setting (Settings --> General --> Keyboard --> Shortcuts) was on! This could happen after:
- "Load Algebra" scripted calculations (or any use of the "input" command)
- "Save Transcript" and "Save Algebra" filename prompts
- Standardized the translation of "ft" (and the irregular plural "feet") to the singular "foot", matching the singular-form translation convention used for all other N-dimensional unit abbreviations and variations (e.g. "ft2", "feet2", "ft3", "feet3", etc.)... This fix helps avoid dead ends (and can streamline problem solving) by allowing more immediate symbolic simplification involving units of feet!
- Documentation updates and cleanups
2.3
2020-11-12
New vocabulary, knowledge, and strategies for enhanced support of multi-dimensional units:
- "squared" (and abbreviations) and "^2" as non-numeric symbol suffixes, primarily for 2-dimensional units (e.g. "[ft squared]", "[meters sq]", "[m^2]")
- Vocabulary words for common macroscopic units with "2" appended as a shorthand for "squared" (e.g. "ft2")
- "cubed" (and abbreviation "cbd") and "^3" as non-numeric symbol suffixes, primarily for 3-dimensional units (e.g. "[ft cubed]", "[meters cbd]", "[ft^3]")
- Vocabulary words for common macroscopic units with "3" appended as a shorthand for "cubed" (e.g. "ft3")
- Knowledgebase additions formally unifying its previously-separate concepts of volume (in bulk) and length (in 3 dimensions) (e.g. "Convert 15[ft] x 10[m] x 50[in] to unit gallons.")
- KnowledgeBase and vocabulary additions for some 2-dimensional units of area (e.g. "acres", "hectares", "sections")
- A new indirect-solution strategy that tries to avoid situations that might lead to solving equations for non-linear variables (such as multi-dimensional units)
- In-app examples in Help -> Examples and in File -> View File -> eg_MultiDimensionalUnits.htm
Basic support for "in" as an abbreviation for "inch" (and "has" as an abbreviation for "hectares") when used in the context of a unit
New vocabulary for understanding some unusual, but valid, musical note terms:
- "C flat", "Cb", and "C b" as synonyms for "B natural"
- "F flat", "Fb", and "F b" as synonyms for "E natural"
- "E sharp", "E#", and "E #" as synonyms for "F natural"
- "B sharp", "B#", and "B #" as synonyms for "C natural"
Added a height length calculation to the Circle equation file!
Added more "common derivations" to the BasicProbability equation file!
Tweaked some equation files with minor aesthetic improvements:
- ArithmeticSequence.eqn
- AstronomicalUnits.eqn
- BasicProbability.eqn
- Circle.eqn
- RightTriangle.eqn
Fixes:
- Documentation fixes for invalid Unit Conversion examples using "converts to"
- Code cleanups
2.2
2020-05-23
Natural language parser enhancements and bug fixes:
- Now understands more complex "percent difference" statements (i.e. "_X_ percent more than _Y_" or "_X_ percent less than _Y_") where the second element "Y" can now be arbitrarily complex, instead of just a number or very simple noun!
e.g. "What percent more than 7[lb/gal] is the density of water?"
e.g. "What's 13% faster than the speed of sound measured in mph?"
e.g. "What percent less than 100 unit meters is 60 unit yards?"
e.g. "Find 7.5 pct under the sum of 3.2 and 2.7 and 5.6."
- Now understands "a percent" (in any of its variations) as 1%.
e.g. "How much of a percent of the GDP is ten billion?"
e.g. "A pct more than 1,234,567"
e.g. "217 is a % less than what?"
e.g. "3.1 is a% of half the total"
Fixes:
- Bug fix for some incorrect interpretation of simple subtraction as "percent less than" calculations!
e.g. "7% minus 0.03"
- Bug fix for not treating the "%" sign like all other math symbols, causing it to be misinterpreted or unrecognized when not followed by a space!
e.g. "13%/2"
e.g. "What%=3/5?"
- Bug fixes for some incorrect parsing of the word "of", often following a user-entered fraction with a numeric denominator!
e.g. "1/5 of 20"
- Code cleanups
2.1
2019-10-13
* Updates for iOS 13:
- Full support for iOS Dark Mode!
- Additional backgrounds perfectly suited for Dark Mode!
- Bug fix for the input line being hidden when the keyboard was visible!
* New and improved features:
- Added a new equation file for Right Triangle calculations!
- Added a new equation file for Isosceles Triangle calculations!
- Added a new equation file for Skewness (of frequency distribution) calculations!
- Added a chord length calculation to the Circle equation file!
- Tweaked all equation files for better portrait-mode viewing on iPhone devices
- Added an algebraic simplification for negating both sides of an equation
* Minor graphical tweaks:
- The Top Bar and system Status Bar are now always visible!
- The extended keyboard is suppressed on iPhone devices in landscape mode, making more content visible!
- Tweaked the appearance of the extended keyboard keys and command buttons
- Tweaked the appearance of the "busy" indicator
- Improved animations
* Fixes:
- iOS 13 bug fix for the input line being hidden when the keyboard was visible!
- Bug fixes for possibly-unsorted file lists since iOS 12.1!
- Code cleanups
2.0
2018-10-22
New and Improved Features:
* New, "fancy" Output setting for rendering beautifully typeset math!
* Enabled Pinch-to-Zoom for the output area!
* The Help main menu now has quick access to the built-in Vocabulary, Knowledgebase, and detailed Examples pages!
* User-created files (transcripts and algebra files) are now visible in iOS's new Files app, enabling all kinds of file-sharing options!
* Changed automatic variable selection to prefer lower-case letters, following traditional algebraic naming conventions!
* Added a new equation file for statistical Z-score calculations
* Added a pair of loadable algebra files to simplify choosing between "permissive" (the default) and "cautious" configuration settings for indirect solution strategies
* Some new vocabulary and knowledge:
- "percentage point[s]": synonym for "%"
- "sans": synonym for "-"
- "gradian[s]": synonym for "grad"
- "tau": a popular name for 2 Pi
- more "fraction words": eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, twentieth, thirtieth, fortieth, fiftieth, sixtieth, seventieth, eightieth, ninetieth
- more synonyms for "speed": "velocity", "instantaneous speed", "variable speed", "changing speed"
- "constant speed": synonym for "average speed"
- "centrifugal acceleration": synonym for "centripetal acceleration"
- "cycle[s]": useful in "frequency" and "time" calculations
- "bandwidth", "data transfer": useful in "bandwidth" and "time" calculations
* Minor graphical tweaks
- Improved animations!
- Improved presentation on iPad Pro 13" devices!
1.6
2017-11-13
Updates for iOS 11:
* Updates for iPhone X compatibility!
* No longer hides the system status bar (time, battery, etc.)
* Minor graphical tweaks
* Bug fix for iOS 11's "Smart Punctuation" feature!
* Bug fix for hidden input line or Command-mode buttons after loading algebra files (or using the "input" command)!
* Code cleanups
1.5
2014-10-16
Updates for iOS 8:
* Support for the larger displays on the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus!
* Bug fix for glitch when showing and hiding the extended keyboard!
* Updates supporting all of iOS8's new keyboard capabilities!
* Device rotation temporarily disabled while the keyboard is visible
* Workaround for pick list scrolling graphical glitch on iPads running iOS 7!
Minor graphical tweaks:
* Removed translucency in the bottom toolbar
* Updated backgrounds in the example files
* Updated extended keyboard fonts for iOS 7.1
Code cleanups
1.4.1
2013-10-02
* Bug fix for a stability problem on iOS 7!
New in version 1.4:
Updates for iOS 7
* Bug fix for a crash-on-launch problem on iOS 7!
* Visual overhaul to match iOS 7's clean new design!
* (iOS 6 users keep the traditional look and feel)
Minor graphical tweaks
* Added accent drop-shadows above and below the toolbars
* Added version and device-specific styles and colors for the extended keyboard
* Added smooth fade-out animation when exiting the program
Code cleanups
1.4
2013-09-26
Updates for iOS 7
* Bug fix for a crash-on-launch problem on iOS 7!
* Visual overhaul to match iOS 7's clean new design!
* (iOS 6 users keep the traditional look and feel)
Minor graphical tweaks
* Added accent drop-shadows above and below the toolbars
* Added version and device-specific styles and colors for the extended keyboard
* Added smooth fade-out animation when exiting the program
Code cleanups
1.3
2012-10-09
Fixes and support for iOS 6 and the iPhone 5's larger screen!
1.2
2011-12-08
An update is coming soon to fix the compatibility issues with iOS 6 and add support for the iPhone 5's larger screen!
New and Improved Features:
- Created a user preference screen in the Settings app for customizing Sales Tax Rate and Customary Tip Rate values for your locale!
- Reintroduced "bounce scrolling" in all directions!
- The "> " prompt is automatically ignored if it is accidently pasted in user input!
- Minor consistency updates to the vocabulary.
- Minor graphical tweaks.
Fixes:
- Replaced corrupted faq.dat file with a clean version! After installing this update, tap "File...", "Manage Files", "faq.dat" to delete your personal copy... Then completely restart AutoMathic (e.g. after using the "!exit" Command or removing the app from the multitasking bar) to begin using the clean version.
- Minor code cleanups for iOS 5
New in Version 1.1
New and Improved Features:
- Added the "Shake-to-Erase" gesture (and "restart" command) for restarting a session!
- Toggle bold fonts in the output window with a "long press" (i.e. press-and-hold) on the Paper-selection button!
- Enabled iTunes File Sharing to allow syncing user-created files to and from the app! You can now import Algebra (.eqn) Files created on your computer, or export Algebra and Transcript (.htm) Files to your computer!
- Added many example Transcripts (named "eg_*.htm") to the "View File" list!
- A spinning busy indicator now illustrates processing activity!
- A new algebraic simplification will cancel common factors from both sides of an equation!
Fixes:
- The parser now understands input like "{noun-phrase} of {num}." This fixes a crash bug and now allows object-less property calculations!
e.g. "If the length of 3 is 21, find the length of 2."
e.g. "What's the cost of five when 2.99 is the price of two?"
- The keyboard's "return" key can now be used with input dialog boxes!
- Accidentally "missing" a keypress on the extended keypad no longer dismisses the keyboard!
- Slightly improved verbiage when aborting due to the inability to solve an equation.
- Fixed a keyboard rotation bug introduced by iOS 4.
1.1
2011-06-09
New and Improved Features:
- Added the "Shake-to-Erase" gesture (and "restart" command) for restarting a session!
- Toggle bold fonts in the output window with a "long press" (i.e. press-and-hold) on the Paper-selection button!
- Enabled iTunes File Sharing to allow syncing user-created files to and from the app! You can now import Algebra (.eqn) Files created on your computer, or export Algebra and Transcript (.htm) Files to your computer!
- Added many example Transcripts (named "eg_*.htm") to the "View File" list!
- A spinning busy indicator now illustrates processing activity!
- A new algebraic simplification will cancel common factors from both sides of an equation!
Fixes:
- The parser now understands input like "{noun-phrase} of {num}." This fixes a crash bug and now allows object-less property calculations!
e.g. "If the length of 3 is 21, find the length of 2."
e.g. "What's the cost of five when 2.99 is the price of two?"
- The keyboard's "return" key can now be used with input dialog boxes!
- Accidentally "missing" a keypress on the extended keypad no longer dismisses the keyboard!
- Slightly improved verbiage when aborting due to the inability to solve an equation.
- Fixed a keyboard rotation bug introduced by iOS 4.