Introduction to Mathematica and the Calculus 3 Lab

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Introduction to Mathematica and the Calculus 3 Lab

• APPM 2450
• January 20, 2004

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What is Mathematica?

• Mathematica is a powerful mathematical software
  package developed by Wolfram Research
• Mathematica specializes in symbolic operations
• Mathematica is like a programming language

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Why do we need Mathematica?

• Calculus 3 labs
• Visualizing mathematics
• Mathematica does the hard work

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How Mathematica works

• Mathematica has two components an interface and
  a kernel
• Interface Type in equations to solve and
  commands
• Kernel Evaluates commands and stores data
• They are somewhat independent!

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Mathematica Syntax

• Like any programming language, Mathematica has a
  syntax
• Learning the syntax is the key to proficiency
• Almost all errors are syntax mistakes
• Error messages in Mathematica can be cryptic

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Input in Mathematica

• Input Interface has cells
• Different types of cells for different types of
  text
• Palettes too!

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Functions in Mathematica

• Mathematica has many many functions
• All functions take arguments in square brackets
  e.g. Sinx
• First letter is capitalized Mathematica is
  CASE-SENSITIVE

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Mathematica Help

• Mathematica has powerful and useful help files
• Access by selecting Help menu then Help
  Browser
• Practice makes perfect...