Computers were initially developed to expedite numerical calculations. A newer, and in the long run, very fruitful field is the manipulation of symbolic expressions. When these symbolic expressions represent mathematical entities, this field is generally called computer algebra [8]. Computer algebra begins with relatively elementary operations, such as addition and multiplication of symbolic expressions, and includes such things as factorization of integers and polynomials, exact linear algebra, solution of systems of equations, and logical operations. It also includes analysis operations, such as definite and indefinite integration, the solution of linear and nonlinear ordinary and partial differential equations, series expansions, and residue calculations. Today, with computer algebra systems, it is possible to calculate in minutes or hours the results that would (and did) take years to accomplish by paper and pencil. One classic example is the calculation of the orbit of the moon, which took the French astronomer Delaunay 20 years [12], [13], [14], [15], [11], [26], [27], [53], [16], [17], [25]. (The Mathematica GuideBooks cover the two other historic examples of calculations that, at the end of the 19th century, took researchers many years of hand calculations [1], [4], [38] and literally thousands of pages of paper.)

Provides the reader with working knowledge of Mathematica and key aspects of Mathematica's numerical capabilities needed to deal with virtually any "real life" problem

Clear organization, complete topic coverage, and an accessible writing style for both novices and experts

Website for book with additional materials: http://www.MathematicaGuideBooks.org

Accompanying DVD containing all materials as an electronic book with complete, executable Mathematica 5.1 compatible code and programs, rendered color graphics, and animations