| Product
Review:
Wolfram Research’s
Mathematica 5
by Mitchell
Levine
As
a science and technology editor for a New York City-based education
trade, I get to examine and evaluate a lot of software. Something
on the order of several first-rate products, and even operating
systems, every month. It’s pretty rare that anything really
impresses me. It’s even more rare to genuinely surprise me,
or even mildly divert me. But what almost never happens at
this late date is that a suite of applications proves to be
so truly deep and inexhaustible in its resources that I’m absolutely
overwhelmed. Almost.
Every
rule has its exception, and Wolfram Research’s latest build
of their venerable technical package Mathematica can probably
calculate every single one. Originally created by its programmer
and company CEO Steven Wolfram—a man who published his first
papers on particle physics in respected journals at the age
of 15—to assist him in his research, the software has evolved
to the point of simply being a systematic universal assistant,
teacher, and even language for inquiry and expression in the
exact sciences. It can typeset, graph, calculate, analyze,
and automate just about any type of quantitative method or
process.
A
partial listing of the new features available in the current
release would include: an advanced set of algorithms and numeric
data analysis features; what is apparently the fastest engine
for linear algebraic calculations on the market; integrated
solvers for regular and partial differential equations and
inequalities; vast graphing and calculating capabilities; an
extensive set of fonts for technical typography; an enormous
library of functions and formulae; and a custom-built version
of Visual Basic specifically created for programming macros,
and even personal applications, within the suite.
However,
unlike many specialty products created for the hardcore scientist
or academician, the company sponsors a number of different
products and programs for students and teachers. Mathematica
for Students, for example, offers virtually the entire functionality
of the professional version, as well as a diverse number of
on-line learning resources, at a small fraction of the list
price. Another program is designed for homeschooling families
that would like to take advantage of a powerful pedagogic aid
at a reduced price.
In
addition to the software itself, the Mathematica user also
gets access to everything the Wolfram Research site has to
offer. A quick launch of the online presence reveals an enormous
variety of value-added enrichment, including virtual tutorials,
a voluminous number of articles, notebooks, e-books, and other
materials teaching mathematics, physics, economics, applied
and discrete mathematics, and even the advanced use of the
software itself, as well as demos, graphs, and animations supporting
and explicating the various concepts involved.
Although
developing proficiency with the interface has a somewhat steep
learning curve, and the true analysis lover may run the risk
of terminal over stimulation and/or addiction, I really can’t
emphasize enough what a truly incredible adjunct this product
is for anyone learning, teaching or just interested in science
and mathematics. The reader is enthusiastically encouraged
to check it out for themselves on the company’s site at www.wolfram.com.#
Education
Update, Inc., P.O. Box 1588, New York, NY 10159.
Tel: (212) 477-5600. Fax: (212) 477-5893. Email: ednews1@aol.com.
All material is copyrighted and may not be printed without express consent of
the publisher. © 2003.
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