A digital chalkboard would be an awesome tool for any math classroom. The Geometer's Sketchpad looks to give you a platform to create mathematical shapes and figures, but you'll have to pay up to use it. The price is probably too restrictive for home use, but could make it a great tool for classroom use.

The latest major version of The Geometer's Sketchpad is version 5, first released in November 2009. The latest minor update is 5.06, which is a free update for version 5 users. If you already use version 5, when you download the latest version it will continue to use your existing license.

The program costs $69.95 to unlock anything more than a 20-minute session that won't save or print your work. This price supports up to four computers. You can only access the drawing features of the program and not the measurement features if you don't pay, as well. The Geometer's Sketchpad offers five different tools to create geometric shapes to help you visualize math problems. Then, you can measure the angles and midpoints of the shapes to solve or create equations. There are dozens of different graph types supported by the program, complete with customizable coordinates and axes. There is a freehand tool, but drawing shapes is as simple as clicking where the points and midsections of the shape should be.

There are hundreds of different applications for the program. However, by making the price a little restrictive for anyone but educators, The Geometer's Sketchpad makes it so the program only works in a classroom. Students who want a similar experience have to pony up cash or try to make the program's limited free features work. If you have the money, it can be an incredibly valuable study aid though.

Editors' note: This is a review of the trial version of The Geometer's Sketchpad 5.05.

What do you need to know about free software?

The Geometer's Sketchpad® is the world's leading software for teaching mathematics. Elementary students can manipulate dynamic models of fractions, number lines, and geometric patterns. Middle school students can build their readiness for algebra by exploring ratio and proportion, rate of change, and functional relationships through multiple representations. And high school students can use Sketchpad to construct and transform geometric shapes and functions—from linear to trigonometric—promoting deep understanding.

Learn more about Sketchpad or learn about Sketchpad activity modules.

Please note the pricing for the software is determined by the quantity of the computers that will be using the access. Please add the exact quantity of computers needed on the appropriate pricing tier for the computer access below. For example, if you need to purchase 1 computer access, you will put qty of 1 in the add to cart option for the License 1-4 Computers but if you need 5 computer access, you will put 5 in the qty for the License 5-19 Computers and so on.

Geometer's Sketchpad 407 Free Download Version

If you have any questions, please contact customer service at 877-833-5524.