What is the best math processing software for college engineering courses?

[Letsgomom]

I hope this isn't too far off the approved topics for this list: I'm seeking information about math processing software- something that allows math problems to be done on the computer. Something powerful to be used through and beyond college engineering courses. Sort of like Microsoft WORD, but for math. Any suggestions?

 

[berkeman]

Mathematica from Wolfram.com:

http://www.wolfram.com/products/

Matlab from

http://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab/

I believe those are the two most common. You should check with the colleges that you might attend to see if they have standardized on one package already.

 

[chroot]

Mathematica (and the freeware clone Maxima), MATLAB (and the freeware clone Octave), Maple, and MathCad are the most common.

- Warren