Steps

Result

Getting an answer to display inline using [Ctrl][=]

In the examples so far, we obtained a result by pressing [Enter].

You can also get Maple to return the result inline by typing [Ctrl][=] (hold down the Ctrl key, then press the = key).

Example: Type "1+2" then [Ctrl][=].

 =

Combining text and math

Example:

1. Start by entering a simple computation.  From the Expression palette, choose the integral .  Replace  with the desired integrand.  Press [Tab] to go to the next placeholder.  Replace with .

2. Evaluate the integral using [Ctrl][=].

  =

3. Place the cursor to the left of your expression and change to text mode using  or by pressing [F5].  Now, type "The integral"

The integral  =

4. You can replace the equal sign (=) with text.  Highlight the equal sign to select it, and then replace it with some additional text.

The integral  is equal to

5. Place your cursor at the end of the output, press [F5], and complete the rest of the sentence.

The integral  is equal to , as you can plainly see.

Recalculating

Modify some of the terms in the problem, highlight the entire sentence, and press the  button to re-execute the computation.

The integral  is equal to , as you can plainly see.

Steps        

Result

Defining Equations

To represent an equation in Maple, use the = sign for equality.

Example: Solve the equation  for  using the context menu Solve>Solve for Variable>x.

Solving for Exact Solutions

By default, Maple uses symbolic methods to find the exact solution.  

Example: Solve the equation    for  using Solve>Solve from the context menu.

Solving for Numeric Solutions

If you desire a numeric solution, you must specify it directly.

Example: Using the example above, solve the equation using the context menu, this time select Solve>Numerically Solve.

Solving with Maple Commands

Note that the equivalent Maple commands are solve and fsolve (floating-point solve).

To solve a system of equations, enclose them in a list or set.  

Tip: Use this notation to include inequalities such as  or .

Assigning Equations to Variables

You can assign equations to names.  Remember to use := (colon equals) for assignments.  

Example:  Assign the variable name "eqn" to the equation "".  Then apply the command "rhs" to your variable name.

You can use the solve command to solve the equation for .

Steps

Result

Expressions

is an expression in  defined to the right. Warning:   is not a function!  

Example: See the example on the right for what happens when you try to evaluate  as if it were a function.

In fact, you have not defined a function.  You have assigned the expression  to the name .

Example: To find the value of an expression at a given value of ,  you need to evaluate the expression at that point. You can do this with
a) context menus,
b)  the eval command,

c) or the evaluate symbol  found in the Expression palette.

 =

Functions

Mathematical functions in Maple are represented as operators.  The operator notation is represented by an arrow.is a function in defined to the right.

Example:

To define this function, you can use the palettes.  From the Expression palette, choose .    Type F, then press [Tab].  Type x.  Press [Tab].  Type x^2.  Press [Enter] to evaluate this line, thus making the function definition.

To find the value of  at a particular value, call the function  with an argument.

Example: Try to evaluate F at 3 and F at y.

Alternate notation: Using natural math notation

Maple also provides a way to define a function using natural mathematical notation.  To do this, you enter an expression of the form "f(y)=expr" and then convert it into a Maple function.

Example:

Define a function .  To begin, type this equation.  (You can find the nth root symbol in the Expression palette.)  Right-click on the equation, and choose Assign Function.

Note:  Using the arrow operator to define a function is strongly recommended.

Typing the arrow operator

You can type a function definition directly.  To create the arrow,  type the dash key followed by the greater than key: "->".

Example:    

Define

Tip: Ending any expression with a colon (:) suppresses the output.  

Multi-Parameter Functions

 is a two parameter function defined to the right.  

You can evaluate G at specified points.

Example: Try evaluating G at (1,2) and at (1, y).

Note: This can be extended for use with multi-parameter functions.

 =  

 =

Procedures

A function is a special form of the more general procedure.  

Example:  See the example on the right for a very basic procedure.  

Procedures can include conditional statements, iteration, type checking, local variables, error-handling, and other features of standard programming languages.  For an introduction to Maple programming, see the Basic Programming chapter of the User Manual.

Tip: Use [Shift][Enter] to continue a command on the next line.

 =

Maple Syntax and 2-D Math

The examples in these tutorials are done using standard 2-D math notation, where fractions and exponents are entered and displayed as they would be written on paper. Some people prefer to enter commands using 1-D Maple syntax, especially when writing procedures.

Several options are available for those who wish to use Maple syntax. The Code Edit Region, which can be embedded directly into a standard Maple document, provides an editor for easy entry of code written in Maple syntax.  

For those who wish to do all interactive work in Maple Syntax, use worksheet mode with the input display set to Maple Notation.