Notes for Maple
The Basics
The different brackets are not interchangeable:
( ) = used in mathematical expressions
{ } = contains elements of a set
[ ] = contain elements of a list
< > = used to enter in vectors and matrices.
Constants
π = Pi
I = i (sqrt(-1))
Infinity
e^x = exp(x)
Assigning Variables
You can assign any Maple expression to a variable for future use.
To assign a variable you must you ‘:=’, with there being no spaces between : and =.
E.g. f:= sin(x), f is assigned the value of sin(x).
Unassigning Variables
To unassign a variable, use the command unassign (‘variable1’, ‘variable2’)
To unassign all variables at once, use the restart command.
Expressions vs Functions
Functions take an input from its domain and returns an output in its range.
g: = x-> x^2-x
g is assigned to be the rule that takes x as input and returns x^2-x as output.
Packages
To load a package, use with(name of package).
Evaluating a function
If a function f is defined, you can use the usual notation f(x) for the value of f at x.
Substituting an expression
Subs
If a function has been assigned, the command Subs (x=value, function) can be used to find f at the
value of x.
Piecewise-Defined functions
Use the function piecewise() to enter a piecewise function.
Simplifying Expressions
Factor = factorises the polynomial
Normal = Tries simplifying expressions involving rational functions.
Limits
Can be used to find the limit as an expression approaches a finite value or infinity’ and left hand and
right-hand limits.
Limit(expression, variable = values)
Derivatives
First derivatives
Differentiating an expression
Diff(expression, variable)
Variable = variable that you are differentiating with respect to.
Subs(x=number, Diff(expression, variable)) gives you the derivative of the expression at number
Differentiating a function
D(function) will give you the first derivative of the function.
D(function)(number) will give you the value of the first derivative at number.
Higher order derivatives
Expressions
Diff(expression,x,x,x,x,x,x,x) differentiates the expression 7 times
Diff(expression, x$7) Differentiates the expression 7 times
Functions
D[1$6](f) Differentiates f, 6 times and finds its value at 1.
Implicit Differentiation
Implicitdiff(equation, variable1, variable 2)
Will find the derivative of variable 1 with respect to variable2 given that equation holds true.
Use subs(variable1=number, variable2 = number, %) finds the derivative at certain points.
Maxima and Minima
Use maximize(equation) to give the global maximum
Use minimize(equation) to give the global minimum
Minimize(equation,x=interval) gives the local minimum on the interval.
Maximize(equation,x=interval) gives the local maximum on the interval.
Integration
Indefinite Integration
Int(expression, variable) expression is integrated with respect to variable.
Note that maple does not show +C in these integrals.
Definite Integrals
Int(expression, variable=a..b)
If Maple cannot find an indefinite integral symbolically, it will return it unevaluated.
But, evalf(%) can be used to find a numerical approximation to the definite integral.
Collections of Expressions
Maple Sequences
A list of things separated by commas.
Construct a sequence in Maple by:
Typing the terms separated by commas
o S1:= 1,1,1,1;
Using $
o S1:= 1$4;
Using seq.
o Seq (1,k=1..6);
Sets vs Lists
Sets
enclosed in a { } bracket.
Maple doesn’t remember the order of the terms
Repetitions are removed
Lists
enclosed in a [ ] bracket
Maple remembers the order of the terms
Repetitions are not removed.
Sums and Products
Maple can add or multiply the terms in a Maple sequence, set or list using “add” and “mul”.
‘sum’ and ‘product’ can also be used, but they require the seq syntax to be used.
Manipulating structures
Nops(set) gives you the number of terms in the set/list/sequence
Op(set) lets you recover the sequence of terms inside a list
Subs(variable=number, to apply over) replaces a variable with an expression in a list.
Map(variable, what to apply over) applies a function to each element in a list
Complex Numbers
Evalc(variable/equation) force maple to give answers in Cartesian form
Re(equation) gives you the real part of a complex number
Im(equation) gives you the imaginary part of a complex number
argument(equation) gives the principal argument of a complex number
abs(equation) gives the modulus of a complex number
conjugate(equation) gives the conjugate of a complex number
