Abstract: Using a scientific data visualization and data processing software-Igor Pro，this paper introduces the numerical solution method of the brachistochrone problem in detail from the three aspects of analytical expression， differential equation and numerical method.By using the numerical method，the time of the ball sliding along different curves is calculated by using the analytic function.The solution process and application scope of each method are discussed in detail，and graphs and tables are used to show the whole process of numerical solution.

Key words: brachistochrone, numerical method, Igor Pro