Wolfram|Alpha via kwout

This past week a new challenger arose to test it’s might against the very powerful Google. Its task is a great one as Google dominates the western world but it appears that Wolfram doesn’t intend to play by the same rules. Instead of the user (you and I) searching for webpages that can bring the answers that we seek, we simply type in the the question to the answer we seek and Wolfram gives an answer. Wolfram is a “fact engine”

So how good is it? Actually very good, it’s math and arithmetic is exceptional and should be feared as it seeks to put mathematicians out of work, try it by typing in “x^2 sin(x)”. Also try typing in “n=np”, one of the most persistent unsolved questions within computer science. Or perhaps try typing in your name to see statistics on how often it is used in the world. I also typed in “how tall is the empire state building?” and it promptly gave me a very detailed answer. So instead of searching for several minutes and trying to find a well cross-referenced answer I have it in seconds with Wolfram.

Will it replace Google? No, Google’s place is carved in stone but Wolfram may have a place of its own carved out if subsequent releases impress as much as this did.

I think I should also say that Wolfram isn’t the first search engine to try it’s hand at this sort of searching feature. True knowledge has been out for a little over a year now and has the same sort of search functions (see my article on search engines). But so far I am more impressed by Wolfram.

To test out some of the more humorous answers that it gives you try these searches on for size.

• To be or not to be?
• How much wood could a woodchuck chuck?
• How old are you?
• Where am I?
• How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
• 88 MPH
• What’s the answer to life?
• Hello
• What’s the speed of an unladen swallow?

How can this be used in education?

Again I am going to refer you to the articles I wrote on search engines.