Maxima - Computer Algebra System

Great system for doing algebraic mathematics

Available on Source Forge: http://maxima.sourceforge.net/

But being I use a Mac, then this is a great port: http://4pple.de/index.php/maxima-ein-opensource-computer-algebra-system-cas/

Documents on its usage are here: http://maxima.sourceforge.net/docs.shtml

After installing and starting from the command line (by typing 'maxima'), here are some examples of how it can be used:

y(x):x^2
diff(y(x),x);
diff(y(x),x,3);
integrate(y(x),x);

Solving ODEs

eqn:'diff(u,t,2)-2*'diff(u,t)-4*u=w;
ode2(eqn,u,t);

Solving Partials

f(x) = x^2 + 5*x + 6;
solve(f(x)=0, x);

Equation Manipulation

• expand
• ratsimp
• trigsimp