About Mathomatic

If c² = a² + b², then what do a, b, and c equal? Mathomatic is a handy algebra calculator that can automatically solve, simplify, and calculate mathematical formulas with many variables. Expressions and equations are entered in standard algebraic (infix) notation by typing, pasting, or reading them in. Operations are performed on them by entering simple English commands. Equations are quickly solved by typing the name of the variable to solve for at the main prompt. The result can then be completely simplified by typing "simplify", which runs the simplify command on the current equation. Values can be plugged into the formula, and the result approximated, by entering the calculate command.

Mathomatic can symbolically:

• combine and solve equations,
• completely simplify and compare mathematical expressions and equations,
• do simple calculus transformations and series,
• perform quick real number, imaginary number, and polynomial arithmetic and calculations,
• generate optimized C, Java, or Python language code from simplified equations,
• plot expressions with gnuplot in two or three dimensions,
• and more!

This software is designed to be as easy to learn and use as possible, and as such, has no programming capability. It implements the standard rules of algebra for symbolic addition (+), subtraction (−), multiplication (*), division (/), modulo division (%), and exponentiation (^ or **, including roots). The numerical arithmetic is double precision floating point with up to 14 decimal digits accuracy. Many results will be exact, because multiple floating point numbers can be combined for a single mathematical value; for example: 2^(1/3), which is the cubed root of 2 exactly.

It is hoped that Mathomatic will be educational and show the true, perfect beauty that is conventional mathematics, and be a reliable calculating tool, too. Currently Mathomatic is only available in English without Unicode support. Translations are welcome.

Not currently implemented in Mathomatic are a graphical user interface (GUI), general functions like f(x), logarithms, arbitrary-precision and interval arithmetic, and matrices; these capabilities are available in a full-featured CAS like Maxima.

Examples:

Here are some commented examples of Mathomatic sessions, with the total run-time displayed at the end. These are HTML files that require fixed-width font for the 2D colored math display.

• Some simple examples (source file)
• Some examples of simplification (source file)
• Fun with the universal constants pi and e (source file)
• Combining, solving, and simplifying a system of linear equations (source file)
• Combining, solving, and simplifying a system of non-linear equations (same method; source file)

Information:

• Read the latest Mathomatic user documentation online.
• Browse the latest Mathomatic C source code.
• Read the instructions on how to compile and install Mathomatic from source.
• The changelog lists important recent changes to the Mathomatic system.
• Mathomatic is available for download, or it can be used online with a web interface.
• Mathomatic is also available online as a telnet service: type "telnet mathomatic.orgserve.de 63011" at the shell prompt in a terminal emulator.

Mathomatic is certified free and open source software, supported via Launchpad.net and email.