Symbolic Computing in Maple
When using a symbolic computation tool like Maple, it is important to solve the problem symbolically first before using any numeric values. This results in a symbolic formula for the result you seek. Think of algebraic and calculus methods for ideas about what symbolic computing means. Solving symbolically first ensures that the desired result is the exact answer. Once you have a symbolic solution, numeric values are substituted in for the known symbols and then the result is simplified. Many different combinations of numeric values can be substituted into the same symbolic solution to solve many different but similar problems.
In the first part of the lab we will do some engineering cost analysis. Engineering cost analysis requires decision-making based upon comparison of different financing alternatives. In this lab we will apply several common principles of engineering analysis and will use the formulas used for financial planning and cost analysis. Maple will be used to manipulate the symbolic equations to get the symbolic formulas that we desire.
In the second part of this lab we study Maple's ability to solve systems of algebraic equations. Solving systems of algebraic equations (either linear equations or non-linear equations) is fundamental to engineering science. There are often circumstances where only two or three equations with two or three unknowns are used to describe a problem. In this case, the solutions can be conveniently interpreted graphically. Each equation describes either a line, a curve, or a surface and the solution to the set of equations is the point(s) of intersection.