MathBrush: An Experimental Pen-Based Math System

It is widely believed that mathematics will be one of the major applications for Tablet PCs and other pen-based devices. In this paper we discuss many of the issues that make doing mathematics on such pen-based devices a hard task. We give a preliminary description of an experimental system, currently named MathBrush, for working with mathematics using pen- based devices. The system allows a user to enter mathematical expressions with a pen and to then do mathematical computation using a computer algebra system. The system provides a simple and easy way for users to verify the correctness of their handwritten expressions and, if needed, to correct any errors in recognition. Choosing mathematical operations is done making use of context menus, both with input and output expressions.