10 minute (wx)Maxima tutorial.

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10 minute (wx)Maxima
tutorial
Welcome to wxMaxima! In this introductory
tutorial you will
learn the basics of wxMaxima and Maxima. Maxima
is a CAS
(Computer Algebra System) similar to systems
like Mathematica,
Maple and others. Maxima, however, is a
commandline application,
which makes it a bit harder to use than its
younger cousins.
Here is where wxMaxima comes in - it's a GUI
(Graphical User
Interface) for Maxima, made to make using
Maxima simpler and
more enjoyable.

Let's start with some simple calculation

examples! Below is
an input cell with a simple addition. Place the
cursor in it
and press SHIFT-ENTER to evaluate it.

➔ 1 + 1;

If you didn't get any errors, your Maxima is

configured properly.
If you did get an error, you should check
wxMaxima configuration or
visit wxMaxima website
(http://wxmaxima.sourceforge.net/) for
instructions on how to setup wxMaxima and
Maxima properly!

Assuming you've delt with your problems, let's

do some more
calculations (again - place the cursor in the
input cell below
and press SHIFT-ENTER to evaluate the code)!
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➔ 5!;
% · 10;
%o1 · 100;
1 / 3;
1.0 / 3.0;

In the input cell above, we've sent 5 "lines"

to Maxima. Each line
must end with a ";" or a "$". In case the line
ends with a ";", Maxima
will show the result of the line, while results
of lines ending
with "$" will be supressed. The "$" comes in
handy when doing longer
calculations. Note also that the result of
"1/3" and "1.0/3.0" differ.
That's because Maxima, unlike numerical matrix
packages (Matlab etc.),
tries to keep calculations precise - it does
not evaluate
expressions like 1/3 or sqrt(2) unless asked
to. In "1.0/3.0" we used
floating point numbers, so Maxima didn't leave
expression unevaluated.

We can, however, tell Maxima we want a floating

point aproximation
of an expression. Evaluate the cell below and
observe results.

➔ sqrt(2 · %pi);
float(%);

In line "float(%);" we used the "%" symbol.

This symbol always holds
the result of the last evaluated line. Numbered
symbols "%o1", "%o2"
... hold the results as they appear when input
cells are evaluated.
We can also store, not only numbers, but whole
expressions, in variables.
Use "variable_name: value;" form to store value
into "variable_name".
Evaluate the cell below and observe.
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➔ radius: 10 $
height: 100 $
area: %pi · radius^2;
volume: area · height;

Let's evaluate the last result numerically:

➔ float(%);

So far we've only used Maxima as a simple

calculator. Now let's try
some things not possible with a calculator.
Indefinite and definite
integrals:

➔ integrate( sin(x), x);

integrate( sin(x), x, 0, %pi);

Let's define a function, evaluate it and

integrate it!

➔ f(x) := x^2 + a$
f(5);
f(5), a = −5;
integrate( f(var), var );

Sometimes Maxima needs additional information

to evaluate an expression
and asks us a question. A cursor should appear
automatically, indicating
you need to answer a question. If it doesn't,
write an answer below the
cell and send it to Maxima with SHIFT-ENTER.
Note: instead of answering
with "positive;", you can only type "p". Below
is an integral with
a question:

➔ integrate( 1 / (x^2 + a), x);

We can also inform Maxima beforehand using the

function "assume". To
revert an assumption, use "forget".
(Note: to get help on any function, just click
on the function name
and press F1. Try it.)
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➔ assume(a > 0)$

integrate( 1 / (x^2 + a), x);
forget(a > 0)$

Now that you've learned the basics, it's time

for some general
mathematical examples! Remember: if you want to
know more about
a specific function, click on it and press F1.

Solving equations using solve:

➔ solve(a·x^2 + b·x + c = 0, x);

Linear algebra. Use "matrix" to create

matrices. Matrices can contain
non-number expressions. Use "invert" to
calculate an inverse and "."
for matrix multiplication.

➔ A: matrix([1,−1],
[1,sin(c)]);
B: invert(A);

A.B;
ratsimp(A.B);

In the last line we used "ratsimp" to simplify

the result of "A.B".
Maxima has a lot of different simplification
functions, depending on
what kind of simplification you want.
Simplification is a complex
topic and if you don't know anything about it,
using "ratsimp" may
be your best shot.

Let's do a 2D and a 3D plot!

➔ wxplot2d([sin(x), cos(x)], [x,0, 2·%pi]);

wxplot3d( exp(−x^2 − y^2), [x,−2,2],[y,−2,2]);

Let's try differentiation using "diff" function.

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➔ f(x) := x^2 $
diff(f(x), x);
g(y) := sin(y)$
g(f(x));
diff( g(f(x)) , x);

Yes, Maxima knows about the chain rule!

And for the end, let's solve an ODE of second

order:
y''(t) + omega^2 * y(t) = 0

➔ assume(omega > 0);

ode2( 'diff(y, t, 2) + omega^2 · y = 0, y, t );

ic2(%, t = 0, y = amp, 'diff(y,t) = 0 );

You should now start exploring (wx)Maxima on

your own. Remember
to press F1 often, if you want Maxima to help
you solve your
mathematical problems!

Enjoy using Maxima and wxMaxima!