# Thread: Is there such a program for plugging in values?

1. ## Is there such a program for plugging in values?

Is there a program or website out there that could take a formula and then take inputs of x values and give out the formula's y values? For example such as f(x) = x^2 + 1. I need this because I have some long equations that have negatives, decimals, square roots and such and using a scientific calculator would take ages to complete.

Also would a website such as Wolfram|Alpha do the trick? I have tried entering in f(2) = x^2 + 1 but it doesn't give me the outcome of 5. Thanks.

2. If I understand your question correctly, then yes there are 100's of packages out there that can do that as that is really just the crust of scientific computing.

Personally I like to use Matlab, but Octave is free alternative. Here is an example of using matlab or octave for what you want.

Code:
>> f = @(x) x^2 + 1
>> f(1)
>> ans = 2

3. There are many free CAS packages which do this, but Wolfram Alpha can do this as well.