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Mathematica is primarily used for presenting complex mathematical equations
and their solutions in an easy to read, graphical format. It can be used
to calculate a numerical solution for difficult integrals and more complex
functions such as Bessel functions. You can also use Mathematica to solve
for an indefinite solution. This, combined with the ability to analyze
matrices and a host of other mathematical formats, makes Mathematica a
powerful tool in the classroom.
Mathematica uses its own programming language, which, like any language,
requires its own syntax to work properly. Built-in commands and operations
always start with a capital letter, so you should never use a capital letter
to begin a variable name. You can, however, use any word, or combination
of letters and numbers for a variable. Just make sure you start each variable
name with a lowercase letter.
For example:
A good variable name for the height of a projectile would simply
be "height".
If you called the variable "Height," with the capital "H," it is possible
that Mathematica could return an error saying "Height" is similar to one
of its built-in commands. So if you name one of your variables with a capital
letter, you may accidentally try to assign a variable to some obscure command
in Mathematica.
Most commands require variables and/or functions in order to work. Immediately
following the command, place a square bracket ( "[" ). This tells Mathematica
what to include as part of the command syntax. Notice how the word "integrate"
is capitalized. This tells Mathematica that you are using the command "INTEGRATE."
It is followed by a square bracket with the required syntax enclosed. Always
end every bracket with its associated ending bracket.
To execute a line or block in Mathematica, you have to hit "shift-enter"
Just hitting the "enter" or "return" key will only add another line to
the current block. Holding shift, then pressing enter will tell Mathematica
to execute the current block. In Mathematica 3.0, you can also execute
a command by hitting the "enter" key on the numeric keypad on the far
right of the keyboard. Only this "enter" key will work the same as "shift-enter."
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