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Get step-by-step solutions with Wolfram|Alpha Pro?

Posted 8 years ago

One of the advertised features of Wolfram Alpha Pro is that it gives access to step-by-step solutions. I've just started using Pro, and I can't seem to get them to show up consistently. For instance, it pops up as an option for this query

Integrate[(5x+1)^2,x]

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=integrate%5B(5x%2B1)%5E2,x%5D

but not for

Sum[(-1)^m/((2m-1)^2-1),{m,2,infty}]

https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Sum%5B(-1)%5Em%2F((2m-1)%5E2-1),%7Bm,2,infty%7D%5D

I guess my question boils down to:

  • When can/does wolfram know how to do step-by-step solutions?
  • When it is possible, how can one get access to them?

Thanks in advance.

POSTED BY: Grant Larsen
2 Replies

Thanks. I had seen the list (examples/StepByStepSolutions), but had taken it as non-comprehensive ("a few examples of ..."), whereas your phrase "availability type list" sounds comprehensive. Those blog posts definitely help establish the dynamic nature of their applicability.

I guess my contention is that if Wolfram is selling a product, there ought to be somewhere where a customer can find a reasonable guide of when they can expect to be able to use it. If that list is comprehensive, then it fulfills that (though it should be labeled as such).

POSTED BY: Grant Larsen
POSTED BY: Sam Carrettie
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