10 Minute (WX) Maxima Tutorial - WXM 1 / 5

10 minute (wx)Maxima tutorial.
wxm 1 / 5
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)!
10 minute (wx)Maxima tutorial.wxm 2 / 5
➔ 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.
➔ 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.)
➔ 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.

➔ 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!

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10 minute (wx)Maxima tutorial.

Let's start with some simple calculation

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

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

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

We can, however, tell Maxima we want a floating

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

Let's evaluate the last result numerically:

So far we've only used Maxima as a simple

➔ integrate( sin(x), x);

Let's define a function, evaluate it and

Sometimes Maxima needs additional information

➔ integrate( 1 / (x^2 + a), x);

We can also inform Maxima beforehand using the

➔ assume(a > 0)$

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

Solving equations using solve:

➔ solve(a·x^2 + b·x + c = 0, x);

Linear algebra. Use "matrix" to create

In the last line we used "ratsimp" to simplify

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

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

Let's try differentiation using "diff" function.

Yes, Maxima knows about the chain rule!

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

➔ assume(omega > 0);

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

You should now start exploring (wx)Maxima on

Enjoy using Maxima and wxMaxima!

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