Comparing Math Software: Mathematica vs Program for School

[bassplayer142]

I got this program for school and I was wondering if anyone else here uses it. I have heard most people talking about Mathematica. Does anyone know how to compare one to the other? I have looked around in this program and it does EVERYTHING! If so, does anyone know the command for dy/dx?

 

[Werg22]

Do you go to UW by any chance?

 

[nicksauce]

Should be something like this:

y:= x^2
diff(y,x)
[expected output is 2x]

 

[bassplayer142]

Ok thanks, I've been trying to plot a graph all day and I can't seem to figure this stuff out.

 

[bassplayer142]

Do you go to UW by any chance?

nope

 

[mongoose]

plot(f(x),x=-10..10,y=-10..10);

will plot f(x) between -10 and 10 on the x-axis, and -10 and 10 on the y-axis.

there's other arguments you can insert in the code, but that is just a basic plot.

 

[nicksauce]

The help file is your friend!

 

[robphy]

The help file is your friend!

Yes, hit "F1" key!

Type the word: plot
then highlight it or place the cursor near that word.
Then hit F1.

 

[bassplayer142]

I have already checked the help thing before I even posted. I just don't understand somethings. How would you plot a graph of dy/dx = sin(x)*cos(y)?

plot(f(x),x) f(x)=sin(x)*cos(y),x=-10..10,y=-10..10)?

 

[mongoose]

if you define the function, you just have to put f(x) as the first argument.

like
f:=x-> x^2;

plot(f(x),x=-10..10,y=-10..10);

that would plot the parabola x^2 with a window of -10 and 10 on the x-axis and the same on the y.

the help file for these programs are confusing, imo

 

[robphy]

http://www.google.com/search?q=maple+introduction

 

[bassplayer142]

First of all, I don't want anyone to think I'm not trying here. I've been at this for on and off 3 days now and it's annoying. I tried some links but couldn't find exactly what I'm looking for. I understand simple graph stuff but maybe I'm just not great with the terminology. Let's just say I want to plot the slope field of dy/dx=sin(x)*cos(y).

DEplot(diff*(x(y), y) = sin(x(y))*cos(y), t, x = -4 .. 4, y = -4 .. 4)

I just don't understand the whole x(y) or whatnot. Thanks for the help.

 

[math_jrm]

Help is available

Hey,

In Maple, x(y) means that x is a function of y. I'm not sure if you are aware of this but there is a Student Help forum and a Student Help center available on Maplesoft's website. Your questions may be answered by a developer or an expert in Maple. Check it out..

Student Help Center
http://www.maplesoft.com/studentcenter/index.aspx

Student Help Forum
http://www.mapleprimes.com/mapleprimes-forums/student-help-forum

 

[hyperon]

I have heard most people talking about Mathematica. Does anyone know how to compare one to the other?

Mathematica is better than Maple because it was designed to be an all purpose math software. It is capable of a greater range of computations because it has more functions than Maple. You can find a comparison between them http://amath.colorado.edu/computing/mmm/.

One feature of Maple which I find quite useful is its command line version. It can be used for quick calculations and sketching of plots, while having more capabilities than conventional calculators. It also takes up very little RAM, making it suitable on slow computers.

 

[robphy]

You can find a comparison between them http://amath.colorado.edu/computing/mmm/.

That chart is useful... but readers should be aware that some empty boxes are not an indication the feature is missing... but that it hasn't been written up for some reason. In addition, it would be more useful if version numbers have been included.

For example,
the features in
http://amath.colorado.edu/computing/mmm/11.html
http://amath.colorado.edu/computing/mmm/12.html
can be done in Maple.

http://amath.colorado.edu/computing/mmm/17.html
incorrectly says that "does not support reading image files".
Maple 10 can read JPEG, TIFF, and BMP (but not GIF or PNG).