Saltire specializes in the development of software with high mathematical content. Our current areas of mathematical expertise include: interactive geometry and symbolic mathematics. Assisted by a series of National Science Foundation grants we are applying these core technologies to a variety of areas in mathematics education.

Under contract with Casio Computer Company, Saltire developed a computer algebra system, which was embedded in the CFX-9970G and CFX-9990GT calculators, and later the Algebra FX 2.0 calculator.

Saltire has also helped develop the Algebra Tutor system on theAlgebra FX 2.0 calculator.   This is the first calculator that actually teaches students how to do algebra, rather than doing it for them.

Interactive Geometry helps students explore geometry interactively. There are two technological approaches that can be used. One is based on the standard Euclidean idea of constructions and the other is the one used by the major CAD companies, to address real-world problems, and is called the constraint approach.

Saltire uses both approaches, which allows us to deal with both simple constructions and complex scenarios. This technology is so powerful that it can be used to let students explore mechanisms and linkages that are meaningful in the real world and yet be simple enough for the average high school student to use.

The Casio Classpad is the first math system to truely integrate both geometry and algebra. Saltire's technology is core in linking the two. This integrated system lets students work with all the different aspects of mathematics addressed in high school.

We view this as only a beginning, for we have a broader view of the requirements for good educational technology. We need a system which will allow students to explore and try their ideas on a wide variety of problems rather than having the problem solved for them, as most of the current symbolic algebra systems do.