Mathematics is communicated through a vast geometric and symbolic vocabulary. Visual images tremendously facilitate the expression of mathematical concepts, problems and solution strategies. Diagrams are also extremely useful in constructing sharply focused exercises for students.

The MathClass package introduces Maple tools and techniques for constructing textbook-quality mathematical diagrams.

Professors Paul Eakin, Carl Eberhart, and K.K. Kubota are developing the MathClass package as part of a National Science Foundation CCLI curriculum development project at the University of Kentucky.

Four self-contained lessons demonstrate the features and techniques of the package.

Download the package code and Lessons 1-4.

Lesson 1: Blocks and Bricks

Gives an overview of Maple's built-in graphics programming by demonstrating how to draw and animate stacks of blocks and bricks.

Lesson 2: Function Plots

Tools for creating function plots with a graph-paper background. Add high-quality legends, highlighted axes, titles and labels. Indicate discontinuities on piecewise functions.

Lesson 3: Triangles and Polygons

Tools for drawing geometric diagrams. Indicate right angles and add vertex labels. Draw cardboard rectangles with corners marked for box folding. Lesson 4: Schematic Diagrams

How to create schematics for word problem assignments. Arrows, walls and multicolored boundaries. Case study on drawing stick figures complete with faces, clothing and height measurements.