Thanks to all who responded with tips on how to define derivative
functions.
Some more questions:
1. What does maxima actually do with the next definition?
(A) f(x):= diff(f(x),x)
I thought that the right hand side remained unevaluated by using
(B) f(x):= 'diff(f(x),x)
as in writing differential equations.
So, what would the meaning of statement (A) ?
Is
diff(f(x),x)
simply a string of symbols?
2. What is the meaning of the following words in the manual on "diff"
The noun form of `diff' is required in some contexts, such as
stating a differential equation.
What is a "noun form" in maxima?
TIA,
-sen
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