Re: PC-based supplement to the 50g? Message #21 Posted by Ron Allen on 9 Dec 2006, 7:32 p.m., in response to message #1 by Ken Ratkevich
Ken, I support other suggestions for MATHCAD which uses some of MAPLE'S ALGORITHMS. When you balance all features of MATHCAD 13 with the additions of the Data Analysis Extension and the Excell add-in, you should have most of the desktop you'll need as a student of physics. Be sure you are comparing version 13 with its many improvements.
Go on line with mathcad.com and look at the forum for a glimpse at part of the HELP facility. there is also considerable help in other areas.
Documentation is lacking. Try to find a copy of version 11 User Manual. Be prepared to pay a little premium for .pdf copies of some of the manuals if you need hard copy.
Mathcad is not an emulator, does not use RPN, more like algebraic mode in g50. G50 is better at step by step solution of integrals in symbolic mode, but Mathcad will symbolically solve most equations. Mathcad much friendlier with differential equations.
A frustrating short coming of MATHCAD prior to version 13 was the lack of direct control over such things as solve blocks in a reiterative environment to handle specific solutions to certain differential equations under program control. Programmed loops can be very tricky because of positioning of variables, both global and local.
There is some excelent help on the forum with the qualifications of some of the best talent on this one for HP. Unless you have lots of time to learn a new system altogether like Maple and you have lots of money, do yourself the favor of looking at mathcad along with the others. If you expect to write lots of papers with math symbols, especially live math, it's a no-brainer.
Regards,
Ron
Edited: 9 Dec 2006, 7:40 p.m.
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