\u201cMathematical sketching is the ability to take drawings and handwritten mathematics and combine them together to create dynamic illustrations that help to visualize the underlying mathematical concept,\u201d says LaViola. In other words, his program brings mathematical equations to life, allowing students to better understand the concepts behind the math.<\/p>\n
Using a special program he designed, LaViola can write out math problems by hand and assign values to the equations. In one example, he draws two cars\u2014one represents the rate of velocity and the other the rate of acceleration. With a flick of his pen, the cars speed ahead, with one reaching its destination first.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has the potential to ultimately affect millions of people and augment how math is taught and learned in school,\u201d said LaViola, \u201cbut at the moment, the program will only work if the math is written down correctly.\u201d<\/p>\n