Computer Algebra Systems

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\(\def\vs{{\it vs. }} \def\cf{{\it cf. }} \def\viz{{\it viz. }} \def\ie{{\it i.e. }} \def\etc{{\it etc. }} \def\eg{{\it e.g. }} \def\etal{{\it et al .}} \def\via{{\it via }} \def\adhoc{{\it ad hoc }} \def\apriori{{\it apriori }} \def\Afrak{\mathfrak{A}} \def\Bfrak{\mathfrak{B}} \def\Cfrak{\mathfrak{C}} \def\Dfrak{\mathfrak{D}} \def\Efrak{\mathfrak{E}} \def\Ffrak{\mathfrak{F}} \def\Gfrak{\mathfrak{G}} \def\Hfrak{\mathfrak{H}} \def\Ifrak{\mathfrak{I}} \def\Jfrak{\mathfrak{J}} \def\Kfrak{\mathfrak{K}} \def\Lfrak{\mathfrak{L}} \def\Mfrak{\mathfrak{M}} \def\Nfrak{\mathfrak{N}} \def\Ofrak{\mathfrak{O}} \def\Pfrak{\mathfrak{P}} \def\Qfrak{\mathfrak{Q}} \def\Rfrak{\mathfrak{R}} \def\Sfrak{\mathfrak{S}} \def\Tfrak{\mathfrak{T}} \def\Ufrak{\mathfrak{U}} \def\Vfrak{\mathfrak{V}} \def\Wfrak{\mathfrak{W}} \def\Xfrak{\mathfrak{X}} \def\Yfrak{\mathfrak{Y}} \def\Zfrak{\mathfrak{Z}} \def\afrak{\mathfrak{a}} \def\bfrak{\mathfrak{b}} \def\cfrak{\mathfrak{c}} \def\dfrak{\mathfrak{d}} \def\efrak{\mathfrak{e}} \def\ffrak{\mathfrak{f}} \def\gfrak{\mathfrak{g}} \def\hfrak{\mathfrak{h}} \def\ifrak{\mathfrak{i}} \def\jfrak{\mathfrak{j}} \def\kfrak{\mathfrak{k}} \def\lfrak{\mathfrak{l}} \def\mfrak{\mathfrak{m}} \def\nfrak{\mathfrak{n}} \def\ofrak{\mathfrak{o}} \def\pfrak{\mathfrak{p}} \def\qfrak{\mathfrak{q}} \def\rfrak{\mathfrak{r}} \def\sfrak{\mathfrak{s}} \def\tfrak{\mathfrak{t}} \def\ufrak{\mathfrak{u}} \def\vfrak{\mathfrak{v}} \def\wfrak{\mathfrak{w}} \def\xfrak{\mathfrak{x}} \def\yfrak{\mathfrak{y}} \def\zfrak{\mathfrak{z}} \def\AA{\mathbb{A}} \def\BB{\mathbb{B}} \def\CC{\mathbb{C}} \def\DD{\mathbb{D}} \def\EE{\mathbb{E}} \def\FF{\mathbb{F}} \def\GG{\mathbb{G}} \def\HH{\mathbb{H}} \def\II{\mathbb{I}} \def\JJ{\mathbb{J}} \def\KK{\mathbb{K}} \def\LL{\mathbb{L}} \def\MM{\mathbb{M}} \def\NN{\mathbb{N}} \def\OO{\mathbb{O}} \def\PP{\mathbb{P}} \def\QQ{\mathbb{Q}} \def\RR{\mathbb{R}} \def\SS{\mathbb{S}} \def\TT{\mathbb{T}} \def\UU{\mathbb{U}} \def\VV{\mathbb{V}} \def\WW{\mathbb{W}} \def\XX{\mathbb{X}} \def\YY{\mathbb{Y}} \def\ZZ{\mathbb{Z}} \def\calA{\mathcal{A}} \def\calB{\mathcal{B}} \def\calC{\mathcal{C}} \def\calD{\mathcal{D}} \def\calE{\mathcal{E}} \def\calF{\mathcal{F}} \def\calG{\mathcal{G}} \def\calH{\mathcal{H}} \def\calI{\mathcal{I}} \def\calJ{\mathcal{J}} \def\calK{\mathcal{K}} \def\calL{\mathcal{L}} \def\calM{\mathcal{M}} \def\calN{\mathcal{N}} \def\calO{\mathcal{O}} \def\calP{\mathcal{P}} \def\calQ{\mathcal{Q}} \def\calR{\mathcal{R}} \def\calS{\mathcal{S}} \def\calT{\mathcal{T}} \def\calU{\mathcal{U}} \def\calV{\mathcal{V}} \def\calW{\mathcal{W}} \def\calX{\mathcal{X}} \def\calY{\mathcal{Y}} \def\calZ{\mathcal{Z}} \def\Ap{A^\prime} \def\Bp{B^\prime} \def\Cp{C^\prime} \def\Dp{D^\prime} \def\Ep{E^\prime} \def\Fp{F^\prime} \def\Gp{G^\prime} \def\Hp{H^\prime} \def\Ip{I^\prime} \def\Jp{J^\prime} \def\Kp{K^\prime} \def\Lp{L^\prime} \def\Mp{M^\prime} \def\Mp{N^\prime} \def\Op{O^\prime} \def\Pp{P^\prime} \def\Qp{Q^\prime} \def\Rp{R^\prime} \def\Sp{S^\prime} \def\Tp{T^\prime} \def\Up{U^\prime} \def\Vp{V^\prime} \def\Wp{W^\prime} \def\Xp{X^\prime} \def\Yp{Y^\prime} \def\Zp{Z^\prime} \def\ap{a^\prime} \def\bp{b^\prime} \def\cp{c^\prime} \def\dprime{d^\prime} \def\ep{e^\prime} \def\fp{f^\prime} \def\gp{g^\prime} \def\hp{h^\prime} \def\ip{i^\prime} \def\jp{j^\prime} \def\kp{k^\prime} \def\lp{l^\prime} \def\mp{m^\prime} \def\np{n^\prime} \def\op{o^\prime} \def\pp{p^\prime} \def\qp{q^\prime} \def\rp{r^\prime} \def\sp{s^\prime} \def\tp{t^\prime} \def\up{u^\prime} \def\vp{v^\prime} \def\wp{w^\prime} \def\xp{x^\prime} \def\yp{y^\prime} \def\zp{z^\prime} \def\App{A^{\prime\prime}} \def\Bpp{B^{\prime\prime}} \def\Cpp{C^{\prime\prime}} \def\Dpp{D^{\prime\prime}} \def\Epp{E^{\prime\prime}} \def\Fpp{F^{\prime\prime}} \def\Gpp{G^{\prime\prime}} \def\Hpp{H^{\prime\prime}} \def\Ipp{I^{\prime\prime}} \def\Jpp{J^{\prime\prime}} \def\Kpp{K^{\prime\prime}} \def\Lpp{L^{\prime\prime}} \def\Mpp{M^{\prime\prime}} \def\Mpp{N^{\prime\prime}} \def\Opp{O^{\prime\prime}} \def\Ppp{P^{\prime\prime}} \def\Qpp{Q^{\prime\prime}} \def\Rpp{R^{\prime\prime}} \def\Spp{S^{\prime\prime}} \def\Tpp{T^{\prime\prime}} \def\Upp{U^{\prime\prime}} \def\Vpp{V^{\prime\prime}} \def\Wpp{W^{\prime\prime}} \def\Xpp{X^{\prime\prime}} \def\Ypp{Y^{\prime\prime}} \def\Zpp{Z^{\prime\prime}} \def\app{a^{\prime\prime}} \def\bpp{b^{\prime\prime}} \def\cpp{c^{\prime\prime}} \def\dpp{d^{\prime\prime}} \def\epp{e^{\prime\prime}} \def\fpp{f^{\prime\prime}} \def\gpp{g^{\prime\prime}} \def\hpp{h^{\prime\prime}} \def\ipp{i^{\prime\prime}} \def\jpp{j^{\prime\prime}} \def\kpp{k^{\prime\prime}} \def\lpp{l^{\prime\prime}} \def\mpp{m^{\prime\prime}} \def\npp{n^{\prime\prime}} \def\opp{o^{\prime\prime}} \def\ppp{p^{\prime\prime}} \def\qpp{q^{\prime\prime}} \def\rpp{r^{\prime\prime}} \def\spp{s^{\prime\prime}} \def\tpp{t^{\prime\prime}} \def\upp{u^{\prime\prime}} \def\vpp{v^{\prime\prime}} \def\wpp{w^{\prime\prime}} \def\xpp{x^{\prime\prime}} \def\ypp{y^{\prime\prime}} \def\zpp{z^{\prime\prime}} \def\abar{\overline{a}} \def\bbar{\overline{b}} \def\cbar{\overline{c}} \def\dbar{\overline{d}} \def\ebar{\overline{e}} \def\fbar{\overline{f}} \def\gbar{\overline{g}} \def\ibar{\overline{i}} \def\jbar{\overline{j}} \def\kbar{\overline{k}} \def\lbar{\overline{l}} \def\mbar{\overline{m}} \def\nbar{\overline{n}} \def\obar{\overline{o}} \def\pbar{\overline{p}} \def\qbar{\overline{q}} \def\rbar{\overline{r}} \def\sbar{\overline{s}} \def\tbar{\overline{t}} \def\ubar{\overline{u}} \def\vbar{\overline{v}} \def\wbar{\overline{w}} \def\xbar{\overline{x}} \def\ybar{\overline{y}} \def\zbar{\overline{z}} \def\Abar{\overline{A}} \def\Bbar{\overline{B}} \def\Cbar{\overline{C}} \def\Dbar{\overline{D}} \def\Ebar{\overline{E}} \def\Fbar{\overline{F}} \def\Gbar{\overline{G}} \def\Hbar{\overline{H}} \def\Ibar{\overline{I}} \def\Jbar{\overline{J}} \def\Kbar{\overline{K}} \def\Lbar{\overline{L}} \def\Mbar{\overline{M}} \def\Nbar{\overline{N}} \def\Obar{\overline{O}} \def\Pbar{\overline{P}} \def\Qbar{\overline{Q}} \def\Rbar{\overline{R}} \def\Sbar{\overline{S}} \def\Tbar{\overline{T}} \def\Ubar{\overline{U}} \def\Vbar{\overline{V}} \def\Wbar{\overline{W}} \def\Xbar{\overline{X}} \def\Ybar{\overline{Y}} \def\Zbar{\overline{Z}} \def\aunder{\underline{a}} \def\bunder{\underline{b}} \def\cunder{\underline{c}} \def\dunder{\underline{d}} \def\eunder{\underline{e}} \def\funder{\underline{f}} \def\gunder{\underline{g}} \def\hunder{\underline{h}} \def\iunder{\underline{i}} \def\junder{\underline{j}} \def\kunder{\underline{k}} \def\lunder{\underline{l}} \def\munder{\underline{m}} \def\nunder{\underline{n}} \def\ounder{\underline{o}} \def\punder{\underline{p}} \def\qunder{\underline{q}} \def\runder{\underline{r}} \def\sunder{\underline{s}} \def\tunder{\underline{t}} \def\uunder{\underline{u}} \def\vunder{\underline{v}} \def\wunder{\underline{w}} \def\xunder{\underline{x}} \def\yunder{\underline{y}} \def\zunder{\underline{z}} \def\Aunder{\underline{A}} \def\atilde{\widetilde{a}} \def\btilde{\widetilde{b}} \def\ctilde{\widetilde{c}} \def\dtilde{\widetilde{d}} \def\etilde{\widetilde{e}} \def\ftilde{\widetilde{f}} \def\gtilde{\widetilde{g}} \def\htilde{\widetilde{h}} \def\itilde{\widetilde{i}} \def\jtilde{\widetilde{j}} \def\ktilde{\widetilde{k}} \def\ltilde{\widetilde{l}} \def\mtilde{\widetilde{m}} \def\ntilde{\widetilde{n}} \def\otilde{\widetilde{o}} \def\ptilde{\widetilde{p}} \def\qtilde{\widetilde{q}} \def\rtilde{\widetilde{r}} \def\stilde{\widetilde{s}} \def\ttilde{\widetilde{t}} \def\utilde{\widetilde{u}} \def\vtilde{\widetilde{v}} \def\wtilde{\widetilde{w}} \def\xtilde{\widetilde{x}} \def\ytilde{\widetilde{y}} \def\ztilde{\widetilde{z}} \def\Atilde{\widetilde{A}} \def\Btilde{\widetilde{B}} \def\Ctilde{\widetilde{C}} \def\Dtilde{\widetilde{D}} \def\Etilde{\widetilde{E}} \def\Ftilde{\widetilde{F}} \def\Gtilde{\widetilde{G}} \def\Htilde{\widetilde{H}} \def\Itilde{\widetilde{I}} \def\Jtilde{\widetilde{J}} \def\Ktilde{\widetilde{K}} \def\Ltilde{\widetilde{L}} \def\Mtilde{\widetilde{M}} \def\Ntilde{\widetilde{N}} \def\Otilde{\widetilde{O}} \def\Ptilde{\widetilde{P}} \def\Qtilde{\widetilde{Q}} \def\Rtilde{\widetilde{R}} \def\Stilde{\widetilde{S}} \def\Ttilde{\widetilde{T}} \def\Utilde{\widetilde{U}} \def\Vtilde{\widetilde{V}} \def\Wtilde{\widetilde{W}} \def\Xtilde{\widetilde{X}} \def\Ytilde{\widetilde{Y}} \def\Ztilde{\widetilde{Z}} \def\Alphatilde{\widetilde{\Alpha}} \def\Betatilde{\widetilde{\Beta}} \def\Gammatilde{\widetilde{\Gamma}} \def\Deltatilde{\widetilde{\Delta}} \def\Epsilontilde{\widetilde{\Epsilon}} \def\Zetatilde{\widetilde{\Zeta}} \def\Etatilde{\widetilde{\Eta}} \def\Thetatilde{\widetilde{\Theta}} \def\Iotatilde{\widetilde{\Iota}} \def\Kappatilde{\widetilde{\Kappa}} \def\Lambdatilde{\widetilde{\Lamdba}} \def\Mutilde{\widetilde{\Mu}} \def\Nutilde{\widetilde{\Nu}} \def\Xitilde{\widetilde{\Xi}} \def\Omicrontilde{\widetilde{\Omicron}} \def\Pitilde{\widetilde{\Pi}} \def\Rhotilde{\widetilde{\Rho}} \def\Sigmatilde{\widetilde{\Sigma}} \def\Tautilde{\widetilde{\Tau}} \def\Upsilontilde{\widetilde{\Upsilon}} \def\Phitilde{\widetilde{\Phi}} \def\Chitilde{\widetilde{\Chi}} \def\Psitilde{\widetilde{\Psi}} \def\Omegatilde{\widetilde{\Omega}} \def\alphatilde{\widetilde{\alpha}} \def\betatilde{\widetilde{\beta}} \def\gammatilde{\widetilde{\gamma}} \def\deltatilde{\widetilde{\delta}} \def\epsilontilde{\widetilde{\epsilon}} \def\zetatilde{\widetilde{\zeta}} \def\etatilde{\widetilde{\eta}} \def\thetatilde{\widetilde{\theta}} \def\iotatilde{\widetilde{\iota}} \def\kappatilde{\widetilde{\kappa}} \def\lambdatilde{\widetilde{\lamdba}} \def\mutilde{\widetilde{\mu}} \def\nutilde{\widetilde{\nu}} \def\xitilde{\widetilde{\xi}} \def\omicrontilde{\widetilde{\omicron}} \def\pitilde{\widetilde{\pi}} \def\rhotilde{\widetilde{\rho}} \def\sigmatilde{\widetilde{\sigma}} \def\tautilde{\widetilde{\tau}} \def\upsilontilde{\widetilde{\upsilon}} \def\phitilde{\widetilde{\phi}} \def\chitilde{\widetilde{\chi}} \def\psitilde{\widetilde{\psi}} \def\omegatilde{\widetilde{\omega}} \def\Alphabar{\bar{\Alpha}} \def\Betabar{\bar{\Beta}} \def\Gammabar{\bar{\Gamma}} \def\Deltabar{\bar{\Delta}} \def\Epsilonbar{\bar{\Epsilon}} \def\Zetabar{\bar{\Zeta}} \def\Etabar{\bar{\Eta}} \def\Thetabar{\bar{\Theta}} \def\Iotabar{\bar{\Iota}} \def\Kappabar{\bar{\Kappa}} \def\Lambdabar{\bar{\Lamdba}} \def\Mubar{\bar{\Mu}} \def\Nubar{\bar{\Nu}} \def\Xibar{\bar{\Xi}} \def\Omicronbar{\bar{\Omicron}} \def\Pibar{\bar{\Pi}} \def\Rhobar{\bar{\Rho}} \def\Sigmabar{\bar{\Sigma}} \def\Taubar{\bar{\Tau}} \def\Upsilonbar{\bar{\Upsilon}} \def\Phibar{\bar{\Phi}} \def\Chibar{\bar{\Chi}} \def\Psibar{\bar{\Psi}} \def\Omegabar{\bar{\Omega}} \def\alphabar{\bar{\alpha}} \def\betabar{\bar{\beta}} \def\gammabar{\bar{\gamma}} \def\deltabar{\bar{\delta}} \def\epsilonbar{\bar{\epsilon}} \def\zetabar{\bar{\zeta}} \def\etabar{\bar{\eta}} \def\thetabar{\bar{\theta}} \def\iotabar{\bar{\iota}} \def\kappabar{\bar{\kappa}} \def\lambdabar{\bar{\lamdba}} \def\mubar{\bar{\mu}} \def\nubar{\bar{\nu}} \def\xibar{\bar{\xi}} \def\omicronbar{\bar{\omicron}} \def\pibar{\bar{\pi}} \def\rhobar{\bar{\rho}} \def\sigmabar{\bar{\sigma}} \def\taubar{\bar{\tau}} \def\upsilonbar{\bar{\upsilon}} \def\phibar{\bar{\phi}} \def\chibar{\bar{\chi}} \def\psibar{\bar{\psi}} \def\omegabar{\bar{\omega}} \def\del{\partial} \def\delbar{\overline{\partial}} \def\Cech{\check{C}} \def\half{\frac{1}{2}} \def\defeq{\mathrel{\mathop:}=} \def\alg{\mathrm{alg}} \def\Alt{\mathrm{Alt}} \def\Amp{\mathrm{Amp}} \def\Arg{\mathrm{Arg}} \def\an{\mathrm{an}} \def\anti{\mathrm{anti}} \def\Ap{\mathrm{Ap}} \def\arcsinh{\mathrm{arcsinh\hspace{0.07cm}}} \def\arccosh{\mathrm{arccosh\hspace{0.07cm}}} \def\arctanh{\mathrm{arctanh\hspace{0.07cm}}} \def\arccsch{\mathrm{arccsch\hspace{0.07cm}}} \def\arcsech{\mathrm{arcsech\hspace{0.07cm}}} \def\arccoth{\mathrm{arccoth\hspace{0.07cm}}} \def\arccsc{\mathrm{arccsc\hspace{0.07cm}}} \def\arcsec{\mathrm{arcsec\hspace{0.07cm}}} \def\arccot{\mathrm{arccot\hspace{0.07cm}}} \def\arg{\mathrm{arg}} \def\BC{\mathrm{BC}} \def\Bel{\mathrm{Bel}} \def\calCH{\mathcal{CH}} \def\csch{\mathrm{csch}\hspace{0.07cm}} \def\CH{\mathrm{CH}} \def\ch{\mathrm{ch}} \def\closed{\mathrm{closed}} \def\codim{\mathrm{codim}} \def\coth{\mathrm{coth}\hspace{0.07cm}} \def\Coh{\mathfrak{Coh}} \def\Coker{\mathrm{Coker}} \def\Cone{\mathrm{Cone}} \def\darg{d\mathrm{arg}} \def\Db{\mathrm{Db}} \def\dclosed{\mathrm{d-closed}} \def\deg{\mathrm{deg}} \def\dim{\mathrm{dim}} \def\divisor{\mathrm{div}} \def\dlog{d\mathrm{log}} \def\DNE{\mathrm{DNE}} \def\DR{\mathrm{DR}} \def\DST{\mathrm{DST}} \def\exp{\mathrm{exp}} \def\FLB{\mathrm{FLB}} \def\FLS{\mathrm{FLS}} \def\Gr{\mathrm{Gr}} \def\Hzar{H_{\mathrm{Zar}}} \def\Hol{\mathrm{Hol}} \def\Id{\mathrm{Id}} \def\Image{\mathrm{Im}} \def\Ka{\mathcal{K}_A} \def\Ker{\mathrm{Ker}} \def\kod{\mathrm{kod}} \def\Kx{\mathcal{K}_X} \def\Kz{\mathcal{K}_Z} \def\log{\mathrm{log}} \def\Log{\mathrm{Log}} \def\Li{\mathrm{Li}} \def\min{\mathrm{min}} \def\Mon{\mathrm{Mon}} \def\Nef{\mathrm{Nef}} \def\NS{\mathrm{NS}} \def\Oa{\mathcal{O}_A} \def\Ox{\mathcal{O}_X} \def\Oz{\mathcal{O}_Z} \def\Perp{\mathrm{Perp}} \def\Pic{\mathrm{Pic}} \def\Proj{\mathrm{Proj}} \def\rank{\mathrm{rank}} \def\Rat{\mathrm{Rat}} \def\Real{\mathrm{Re}} \def\reg{\mathrm{reg}} \def\Res{\mathrm{Res}} \def\res{\mathrm{res}} \def\Ric{\mathrm{Ric}} \def\sech{\mathrm{sech}\hspace{0.07cm}} \def\Span{\mathrm{Span}} \def\Spec{\mathrm{Spec}} \def\sing{\mathrm{sing}} \def\Singx{\mathrm{Sing}(X)} \def\sheafKer{\mathcal{\Ker}} \def\sheafIm{\mathcal{\Im}} \def\Span{\mathrm{Span}} \def\Spin{\mathrm{Spin}} \def\Str{\mathrm{Str}} \def\td{\mathrm{td}} \def\tr{\mathrm{tr}} \def\Todd{\mathrm{Todd}} \def\tor{\mathrm{tor}} \def\trdeg{\mathrm{trdeg}} \def\Zar{\mathrm{Zar}} \def\ZFLS{\mathrm{ZFLS}} \usepackage{tikz} \usepackage{tkz-graph} \usepackage{tkz-euclide} \usetikzlibrary{patterns} \usetikzlibrary{positioning} \usetikzlibrary{matrix,arrows} \usetikzlibrary{calc} \usetikzlibrary{shapes} \usetikzlibrary{through,intersections,decorations,shadows,fadings} \usepackage{pgfplots} \newcommand{\lt}{<} \newcommand{\gt}{>} \newcommand{\amp}{&} \definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9} \newcommand{\fillinmath}[1]{\mathchoice{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\displaystyle \phantom{\,#1\,}$}}{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\textstyle \phantom{\,#1\,}$}}{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\scriptstyle \phantom{\,#1\,}$}}{\colorbox{fillinmathshade}{$\scriptscriptstyle\phantom{\,#1\,}$}}} \)

Section 1.5 Computer Algebra Systems

Computer algebra systems are a valuable and important tool in mathematics. This includes online tools like Desmos, Symbolal, Wolfram Alpha and many others. It also include programs like Mathematica, SageMath, R and again others. There are several excellent uses of these tools

Using these tools to check your work is great. Often, you can catch mistakes this way. However, do be aware that sometimes there are multiple presentations of the same correct answer -- just because your answer differs does not always mean it is incorrect.
Using these tools to visualize mathematics, by drawing graphs and other shapes, it also great. I strongly encourage you to do this if it helps you understand problems.
Sometimes, in the specific rubrics, I will allow you to do various steps of a question by computer. When I do this, then of course please use the appropriate computer algebra system to do these steps. This can save you a lot of time and trouble.
Like all resources, you need to give credit. For computer algebra system, you can simply me at the start of the assignment that you used a calculation tool and then very briefly indicated the places that it was used in the assignment. If you simply double checked your work with any of these tools, just say so as part of your citations.
Finally, it is not acceptable to have a computer algebra system do all the work for you. Some of these systems are pretty good at producing solutions with all the steps and even with annotations. Going back to the first principle: the point of an assignment is to have you figure it out yourself, to understand yourself. Having a computer solve the question and just handing that in defeats the purpose of an assignment. You still need to do you own work. Handing in a computer-generated solution that you did not write is an academic honesty violate.