Re: Simplifying and Rearranging Expressions
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg96008] Re: Simplifying and Rearranging Expressions
- From: AES <siegman at stanford.edu>
- Date: Sun, 1 Feb 2009 04:40:21 -0500 (EST)
- Organization: Stanford University
- References: <gls1u8$hjl$1@smc.vnet.net> <15441402.1233316177571.JavaMail.root@m02> <gm0q6p$rpr$1@smc.vnet.net>
In article <gm0q6p$rpr$1 at smc.vnet.net>, "David Park" <djmpark at comcast.net> wrote: > Nevertheless, I would still argue that users should be encouraged to do > derivations completely ACTIVELY using Mathematica. They may think about the > principles, strategy and tactics of a derivation when they are away from > Mathematica. But implementing a derivation or proof actively on Mathematica > has many advantages. I'll back down on my recent assertions on this point. People doing analyses should do them in whatever way works for them, and both David and I can well have different but valid suggestions on this. What I'm not at all ready to back down on at all-- and what Andrzej Kozlowski appears to agree with me on, at least partially -- is the broader assertion: Proposing to do analysis; numerical calculation; graphing and animation; and preparation of final expositions or presentations (i.e., reports, articles, talks, online web sites), using just one massive "integrated" package (e.g., Mathematica) and/or one single format (e.g., Mathematica notebooks), is an absolutely bad, undesirable, misguided, unworkable idea. It may be workable, even convenient, in some limited cases: A simple derivation, leading to a simple report or memo, which also functions as a seminar presentation or class lecture. But as a general or universal approach, it's a terrible idea, for many reasons, not all of these connected specifically with Mathematica, but with many of them very well illustrated by Mathematica.
- Follow-Ups:
- Re: Re: Simplifying and Rearranging Expressions
- From: Andrzej Kozlowski <akoz@mimuw.edu.pl>
- Re: Re: Simplifying and Rearranging Expressions