Best mathematic software?

Nothing000

I am thinking about purchasing some math software so I can get a better understanding of the math I am learning. I will use it for my calculus 2 class, but once I am done with calculus I will surely use it for my Diff E, Linear Algebra, and Complex Variables classes too. Which program would you recomend from the following list:
MatLab
Mathematica
Maple
Derive

Tide

First, there is no such thing as "the best." Your selection should be based on your requirements and budget. The first three on your list are outrageously expensive. Derive is quite capable and low cost. You should also consider MuPAD Pro which is very powerful and has quite versatile graphics.

In any case, use whatever program you decide on in a strictly ancillary capacity. The real learning occurs between your ears and overreliance on computer systems will stifle and not help in that endeavor.

Nothing000

Mathematica is not that expensive. They sell it to students at my school for about $130. That is the one I am leaning toward.

shmoe

Student version of maple is about $100 US, I think mathematica and matlab are in this range, so not too bad. I'm partial to maple, but that's based on familiarity. Are any of these available on computers at your school? You might want to try them out before you buy.

Do listen to Tide, computer software is only a supplement to the real learning.

Nothing000

Supplement? Yeah righ! I plan on the software doing my homework and learning for me.
Seriously though, I am pretty dedicated to actually learning the math I am learning. And I just would like something on my computer that is colorful and fun to play with that I can use to visualize some of the math I am learning. I get sick of looking at the screen of my TI-89.
And yes, we do have a computer lab in the math dept. And now that I think about it they have all of these programs. I completely forgot about that. I have never been there, but my professors have talked about it. I will just go over there and play around with each of them. That was an excellent idea. Thanks.
Does anyone else have a reason why one of these is better than the rest that I would not notice by playing with each of them?

shmoe

It wasn't at all an accusation! Just a general warning. I've seen too many student get reliant on software for graphing things (for example) that they end up with absolutely no intuition at all and can't handle basic problems with pencil and paper. Your goal of actually learning the math is the one to have , and software can be a great tool to this end!

Nothing000

Thats cool.

leon1127

I have heard that if you are doing some pure mathematical work, Mathematica is better. Maple has better interface. Matlab is the best for simulation and applied Maths.

But again, this is what i have heard. I have been using Mathematica to do my homework and it works just fine.

chroot

For the simple purposes of doing relatively basic undergraduate math and visualization, any of the programs will work. Only when you get to more challenging tasks do the programs each begin to show different weaknesses.

- Warren

neurocomp2003

yay for matlab and its infinite for loops =]

I used maple for Math/Physics
and matlab for math/psych.

Didn't really like mathematicas GUI.

Nothing000

How do you use Matlab for physchology?

leon1127

My guess is stat?

Tide

That's probably true but I think they'd find something like R or S-Plus to be more suitable.

Demian^^

I've been using Maple for subjects like calculus and algebra and it has proven to be quite reliable and versatile. I also use MATLAB extensively, but solely for numerical purposes.. if it's analytical solutions you want (and I expect you do), I'd go for Maple. Never worked with Mathematica or Derive, so can't tell you anything about those.

Maxwell

I love Matlab. I think it's better suited for engineering work than Mathematica or Maple.

Then again, it's all up to preference. The DSP toolbox for Matlab has been invaluable for me.

neurocomp2003

LOL no i didn't use matlab for stats purpose in psychology...There are more math fields in psych then just stats...ONE NOTABLE, probably the most known is neural nets. I used matlab for simulations purposes and VR.

you can do analytical stuff in matlab...its all about knowing how to write scripts...I walked by a profs office and he was working on stuff like that...he was kind enough to give me a run through of how but i've forgotten it since.

franznietzsche

I've used both Matlab and Maple, and personally I really prefer Matlab. I use it for all of my "lightweight" work (anything where the speed increase of an F90 code is not worth the effort of an F90 code).