Computer Algebra Systems

Computer Algebra Systems (CASs) are very powerful and highly flexible mathematical software. Also known as symbol manipulators and symbolic mathematical packages, well known CASs include the popular Mathematica and Maple software. This unique buying guide provides a comprehensive objective overview of the major systems, outlining their relative strengths and weaknesses, allowing users to select a particular software for a specific problem or need. Since each system uses a different language, many examples are given to aid the user in adapting to each language. The examples also serve as a guide to using the various systems once the basic principles of CAS are understood. Written by a leading figure in the development and analysis of mathematical software, known throughout the industry for his "Wester test suite" of problems, the book compares different software packages quantitatively using the author's well-known performance standard for measuring mathematical software systems.