MuPAD and MAPLE

This article is ongoing. This update: March 5th, 2004.

Pariticipation/comments/suggestions invited to brochmann(at)saltspring(dot)com

These are computer programs that:

• Perform arbitrar precision arithmetic. Ie: results of calculations can be expressed with literally
   thousands of digits. For example, here is a fraction in decimal for with 100 digits.

• Express results in fraction/radical form - symbolically. For example, here we request that
   the general form of the quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0 be solved for x, we get:

      
• Two functions are defined
- then plotted
- then solved, the solutions being expressed in two different forms.

• 3D graphics are also available. This example included to "wow" you!

• ... and, of course, symbolic and numerical differentiation, integration and so on.

Both of these software are truly amazing. Each incorporates the notion of "workbook". You have a page of text with explanations and examples... but it is interactive. In other words, the usercan experiment with changing the values to see what effect this has.