About Mathomatic

If c² = a² + b², then what do a, b, and c equal? Mathomatic is a handy computer algebra system that can automatically solve, simplify, manipulate, 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.

Mathomatic can symbolically:

• combine and solve equations containing many variables,
• completely simplify and compare mathematical expressions and equations,
• do simple calculus transformations and series,
• perform general real number, imaginary number, and polynomial arithmetic and calculations,
• generate optimized C, Java, or Python language code from simplified equations,
• plot functions 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.

It is hoped that Mathomatic will be educational and show the true, perfect beauty that is 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 named mathematical functions (like f(x) and log(x)), arbitrary-precision and interval arithmetic, and matrices; these capabilities are available in a full-featured CAS like Maxima.

Examples:

• A screenshot of Mathomatic solving and simplifying, taken under Mac OS X
• Some simple examples using HTML output mode
• A demonstration of symbolic differentiation
• Some examples of simplification
• Combining, solving, and simplifying a system of linear equations
• Combining, solving, and simplifying a system of non-linear equations (same method)
• Mathomatic is available online as a telnet service: type "telnet mathomatic.org 63011" at the shell prompt in a terminal emulator.

Information:

• Read the latest Mathomatic documentation online.
• Browse the latest Mathomatic source code.
• The Mathomatic changelog lists recent changes to the source code.
• Read my notes on the limitations of computer algebra systems.

Mathomatic is certified free and open source software.