>> Dear colleagues,
>> I am novice in using Maxima CAS, so I have numerous questions. Here are three of these. May be, you'll be so kind to answer me.
>>
>In the future you could provide a subject line that is more useful.
Such as 'Three beginner questions'
>I also suggest you read tutorials before asking basic questions.
Be fair. You don't know if he did. I've read tutorials and still flt that I didn't understand what was going on, because I was new to a subject. I've had users of my software come with so many expectations from the previous software version that they used that they just can't get to grips with the idea that there is not only the one valid approach. Just mention that this is covered in the tutorials, and if it wasn't clear that you appreciate a posting as to what they found difficult in the tutorial.
>> 1. What is the way to obtain the list of digits of an integer? In Mathematica, I simply write IntegerDigits[number].
>>
>There may be other ways of doing this, but for radix=base, try
>digs(z,base):=if z=0 then [] else
>([a,b]:divide(z,base),cons(b,digs(a,base)));
>which will give you the digits of a positive integer in reverse order.
>
>reverse(digs(123,10)) gives you the list [1, 2,3]
>
Is this really in one of the tutorials?
Is there likely to be a common need for it? (Why did Mathemtaica choose to implement it as simple keyword?)
>
>> 2. What is a way to define a function that will memorise its values?
>>
>define f[x]:= ... instead of f(x):= ...
A good answer, making it clear that the difference is syntax.
>> 3. How can I get the value of the derivative of a given function? In Mathematica, I can use f'[x] instead of D[f[x],x].
>>
>
>why not use diff(f(x),x)? Are you saying that you must use ' ??
I would suggest that as my first Lisp only supported quote() and not ', so here is an example of an extension which, if easy to implement, brings Maxima closer into line with common ways of writing maths.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To read our latest newsletter visit http://www.wrcplc.co.uk/default.aspx?item=835 - Keeping our clients up-to-date with WRc's business developments
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visit our websites www.wrcplc.co.uk and www.wrcnsf.com, as well as www.waterportfolio.com for collaborative research projects.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Information in this e-mail is confidential and is intended solely for the addressee. Access to this e-mail by any other party is unauthorised. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying, distribution or any action taken in reliance on the information contained in this e-mail is prohibited and maybe unlawful. When addressed to WRc Clients, any opinions or advice contained in this e-mail are subject to the terms and conditions expressed in the governing WRc Client Agreement.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WRc plc is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered office address: Frankland Road, Blagrove, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 8YF. Company registration number 2262098. VAT number 527 1804 53.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: application/ms-tnef
Size: 3616 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://www.math.utexas.edu/pipermail/maxima/attachments/20100127/cabeac75/attachment-0001.bin>;