Learning Guide Learning Guide

6 • Chapter 2: Mathematics with Maple: the Basics> 1 + 3/2;52> 2*(3+1/3)/(5/3-4/5);10013> 2.8754/2;1.437700000Consider a simple example.> 1 + 1/2;32Note that Maple computes exact calculations with rational numbers.The result of 1 + 1/2 is 3/2 not 1.5. To Maple, the rational number3/2 and the floating-point approximation 1.5 are distinct objects. Theability to represent exact expressions allows Maple to preserve much moreinformation about their origins and structure. The origin and structureof a number such as0.5235987758are much less clear than for an exact quantity such as16 πWhen you begin to deal with more complex expressions the advantageis greater still.Maple can work with rational numbers and arbitrary expressions.It can manipulate integers, floating-point numbers, variables, sets, sequences,polynomials over a ring, and many more mathematical constructs.In addition, Maple is also a complete programming language thatcontains procedures, tables, and other programming constructs.