Maple and Mathematica: A Problem Solving Approach for Mathematics

In the history of mathematics there are many situations in which cal- lations were performed incorrectly for important practical applications. Let us look at some examples, the history of computing the number ? began in Egypt and Babylon about 2000 years BC, since then many mathematicians have calculated ? (e. g. , Archimedes, Ptolemy, Vi` ete, etc. ). The ?rst formula for computing decimal digits of ? was disc- ered by J. Machin (in 1706), who was the ?rst to correctly compute 100 digits of ?. Then many people used his method, e. g. , W. Shanks calculated ? with 707 digits (within 15 years), although due to mistakes only the ?rst 527 were correct. For the next examples, we can mention the history of computing the ?ne-structure constant ? (that was ?rst discovered by A. Sommerfeld), and the mathematical tables, exact - lutions, and formulas, published in many mathematical textbooks, were not veri?ed rigorously [25]. These errors could have a large e?ect on results obtained by engineers. But sometimes, the solution of such problems required such techn- ogy that was not available at that time. In modern mathematics there exist computers that can perform various mathematical operations for which humans are incapable. Therefore the computers can be used to verify the results obtained by humans, to discovery new results, to - provetheresultsthatahumancanobtainwithoutanytechnology. With respectto our example of computing?, we can mention that recently (in 2002) Y. Kanada, Y. Ushiro, H. Kuroda, and M.

The first book to compare the main two computer algebra systems (CAS), Maple and Mathematica used by students, mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. Both systems are presented in parallel so that Mathematica users can learn Maple quickly by finding the Maple equivalent to Mathematica functions, and vice versa. This student reference handbook consists of core material for incorporating Maple and Mathematica as a working tool into different undergraduate mathematical courses (abstract and linear algebra, geometry, calculus and analysis, complex functions, special functions, integral and discrete transforms, algebraic and transcendental equations, ordinary and partial differential equations, integral equations, numerical analysis and scientific computing). The book also contains applications from various areas of mathematics, physics, and music theory and can be useful for graduate students, professors, and researchers in science and engineering.
One of the goals of this book is to develop problem-solving skills (that are most useful for solving sophisticated research problems) finding solutions with Maple and Mathematica and not to depend on a specific version of both systems (Maple 12 and Mathematica 6 and 7 are considered).
Part I, describes the foundations of Maple and Mathematica (with equivalent problems and solutions). Part II, describes Mathematics with Maple and Mathematica by using equivalent problems.
Finally, this book is ideal for scientists who want to corroborate their Maple and Mathematica work with independent verification provided by another CAS.
J. Carter, SIAM Review 50: 149-152 (2008).