Symbolic math

In computer algebra systems (CAS) the term symbolic mathematics means that the operation and calculation of mathematical expressions with variables are performed on computers . Colloquially, this is referred to as "calculating with letters".

Many CAS and some programmable pocket calculators (e.g. the HP-48 ) are able to carry out symbolic formula manipulations. This means transformations and calculations of terms and equations such as B. factoring , multiplying , the polynomial division and solving equations . In contrast to numerical mathematics , symbolic mathematics only works with exact expressions. The advantage of symbolic mathematics is that the result can be used universally. A disadvantage is that for many problems, a symbolic solution is very complex to calculate or not possible at all.

An example of the CAS Maple shows the solving of a symbolic expression of the so-called midnight formula :

>solve(a*x^2+b*x+c=0,x);

 ${\displaystyle {\frac {1}{2}}{\frac {-b+{\sqrt {-4ac+b^{2}}}}{a}},-{\frac {1}{2}}{\frac {b+{\sqrt {-4ac+b^{2}}}}{a}}}$

See also

• Analytical solution

Web links

• planetmath.org: Symbolic computation