Re: How should I start with mathematica?
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg85387] Re: How should I start with mathematica?
- From: dflatin at rcn.com
- Date: Thu, 7 Feb 2008 22:35:05 -0500 (EST)
- References: <fobjom$mqj$1@smc.vnet.net>
On Feb 6, 1:23 am, Chengcheng <tntwc_... at yahoo.com.cn> wrote: > I'm new in mathematica, Is there any approach recommended to start with ma= thematica? While it has all been good advice so far, I think two more points could be made. Firstly, try to find a problem that you would like to solve using Mathematica. Follow the guidance you find in the documentation and here in the MathGroup and try to make it work. You will probably find a quick but clumsy solution first, and then as your understanding of the system grows, you will see new paths. As far as I can tell, this process never really stops. Second, find a book in a subject area of interest that uses Mathematica to forward its discussion. Michael Trott's books are excellent, but encyclopedic. For me, I found Stan Wagon's book Mathematica in Action to be a great introduction to the style and methodology of working with Mathematica. The book is a couple of versions behind, but I understand a new edition is in the works. The advantage of such a resource is that rather than tackling the giant object that is all of Mathematica, it takes a threaded approach showing a path from problem statement to solution. Finally, I would especially recommend David Park's resources both to improve Mathematica's functionality, and as examples for how to best use this tool. Dan