A Researcher's Playground: Designing Children's Playground Equipment with Mathematica

Markus van Almsick, Consultant

This content requires JavaScript and Adobe Flash Player 10 or higher. If you are using a browser with JavaScript or Flash disabled, please enable them now. Otherwise, please install the latest version of the free Flash Player.

The Mathematica Edge

Provides superior symbolic capabilities
Accelerates the comparison process for long lists of variables
Supplies tools needed to try multiple methods for best results

"This capability of not having to compile things and not having to stick to a certain technology, mathematically speaking, helps quite a bit--the freedom of choice [for] what mathematical tools to use."

Overview

"Mathematica is a researcher's playground," says Markus van Almsick. Recently, he used the diverse functionalities in the software to design a children's playground and zip-line that meet Germany's strict safety requirements.

The power of Mathematica enabled him to easily calculate values for a long list of variables, including speed, height, and tension, and to develop the perfect blueprint in record time.