Functions Created in CAS - My Insights

[Dominik Holenstein]

First, let's create two functions in the CAS with two different methods:

Code:


f1(x):=x^2-5
f2:=x->x^3+6

Both functions are now listed under
[Shift] -> [Toolbox|Mem] -> CAS Vars

Code:


f1 (Function)
f2 (Function)

First insight for me: You can define functions in the CAS with either mothods shown above and you get the same result. This is not a surprise but good to know.

When you want to use these functions in your calculations you can choose them from
[Vars] -> CAS -> Program

This was my first confusion as a beginner with the HP Prime: You are entering a function and it is stored as such in the memory but when you want to choose it from [Vars] you have to know that a CAS function is a (CAS) program. This was my second insight.

Now let us switch to Program:
[Shift] -> Program

Both functions created above appear in this list:

Code:


f1 (CAS)
f2 (CAS)

There is a hint (CAS) that f1 and f2 are belonging to the CAS. It is great that you can edit and extend them in the program editor.

The summary of my insights:
A function created in the CAS is a CAS function which is a CAS program and it is stored in CAS variable.

If you know that this is due to functional programming then this is logical. But I didn't know that the CAS allows functional programming and was lost in the beginning. I therefore suggest to to add a seperate functional programming chapter to the HP Prime User Guide.

Are my reflections and insights correct?

Many thanks for reading this and your feedbacks.

Best,
Dominik