Maple, Integration, Invaild Differential

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Discussion Overview

This discussion centers around the difficulties a participant is experiencing while using Maple software to perform integration, specifically encountering an "Error, Invalid differential" message. The conversation explores various input methods and troubleshooting steps related to integrating functions, with a focus on the correct syntax and usage of differentials in Maple.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant reports an error when trying to integrate the function y^2 dy from 0 to 2, questioning what constitutes a valid differential.
  • Another participant suggests that the issue might be a bug in Maple, as they have not found clear documentation on valid differentials.
  • A third participant provides a link that indicates an alternative syntax for integration, suggesting to use "int(y^2,y=0..2);" instead of including "dy".
  • Further input from participants includes various keyboard commands and methods to input integrals correctly in Maple, emphasizing the importance of the differential's formatting.
  • One participant mentions that they are trying to use the integral symbol in Maple 10 for more complex triple integrals, indicating a preference for visual input methods.
  • Another participant notes differences in how Maple 9 and Maple 10 handle input, particularly regarding the expectation of user input for differentials.
  • Several participants share their successful methods for entering integrals, including specific keystrokes and commands that resolve the error.
  • One participant expresses gratitude for the assistance received and identifies a specific keystroke issue that caused their initial problems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the importance of correct input syntax for integration in Maple, but there remains some uncertainty regarding the nature of the "Invalid differential" error and whether it is a software bug or a user input issue. Multiple approaches to resolving the problem are discussed without a clear consensus on a single solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention different versions of Maple (9 and 10) and their respective functionalities, which may affect the integration process. There are also references to specific input methods that may not be universally applicable across all versions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for users of Maple software, particularly those encountering integration issues or seeking to understand the correct syntax for differentials in their calculations.

DieCommie
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I want to use maple to check my homework problems, but I can't get it to integrate even a simple function. I keep getting the error : Error, Invalid differential. I have been looking thorought the help for quite some time, and don't see anything on what is and what isn't a valid differential.

I tried to integrate a simple function, y^2 dy with the limits from 0 to 2, but it won't do it, its an invaild differential.

Any clues as to what's going wrong or where I can read about what is and what isn't a valid differential?

Thx
 
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Well, I have spent many hours over the last few days reading in maple help, searching on the internet, and today I was in the maple lab and asked my teacher. Nothing. Apparently nobody knows what is a valid differential or how to make maple integrate without this "Error, Invalid Differential".:mad: The only thing I can assume is that there is a bug in the program that will be fixed with a patch later...
 
try

int(y^2,y=0..2);

What exactly were you inputing? I couldn't get "Error, Invalid differential" with the few variations of using dy that I tried.
 
yes I can input it that way, and it works.

I am trying to use the integral symbol in maple 10 where you can actually see the "long s" of the integral, because I want to check triple integrals that get complicated.

I am inputing it exctally like this [tex]\int_{0}^{2} y^2 dy[/tex] I also try this with no space inbetween the differential and the expression. The only way I can get it to integrate is if I leave the "dx" that it comes with alone and integrate with respect to x. But sometimes I want to integrate with respect to otherthings.
 
here is a screen shot. the third one that works uses a "dx" that comes with the integral. I notice that the "x" is a purple color unlike the other variables...

somehow I need to tell it the black x or the black y is part of the differental
 

Attachments

  • maple error.gif
    maple error.gif
    44.9 KB · Views: 952
Attatchment is still pending approval so I can't see exactly what you're inputing.

I only have maple 9 on hand, in 9 when you hit the definite integral pallette it puts in an "?" instead of a built in "x", so it is expecting user input. I guess that's changed in 10?

In the meantime, you can use the other way and still graphically check your input before it calculates the integral-the "Int" command instead of "int" is inert (just the old command capitalized). It will convert "Int" into the usual graphical format, but not attempt to evaluate it.
 
How do I get the attachment to work?

I am still struggling with this, trying to get maple to integrate using the integrand graphic and would really like some help.

Maybe there is a maple forum I could go to...?
 
I don't know why you are getting that error. I use maple 10 and do not get that error.

try entering it like this, and let me know what you get:

click on the icon that looks like:
[tex]\int_a^b f \,\,dx[/tex]

the [itex]a[/itex] should be highlighted. Perform the following keyboard commands:

Code:
"0"
->TAB
"2"
->TAB
"y"
"^"
"2"
->TAB
"Y"
->ENTER

Where "x" would mean press the x key.
Where "6" would mean press SHIFT+ press the 6 key.

That should work. Otherwise, let me know exactly what you are doing, so I can recreate the error.
 
  • #10
Here's another keyboard combination:

type "int"
press CTRL+SPACE
press, down, down, down
type 0
press tab
type 2
press tab
type y^2
press tab
press enter
 
  • #11
Thanks for your help, I was able to get it to work using your keystrokes. The way I was entering it was using the left right etc. arrow keys.

I combined the arrow method and the tab method and found the misbehaving keystroke is putting the cursor in front of the "x" in the differential and hitting delete, then typing in "Y". It works if you tab to the differential, or highlight it then stroke a key to replace it, but not if you use the delete key. (even though it looks the same :smile: )

Thanks again:biggrin:
 
  • #12
P.S. The new interface is PIMP.
 

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