Maxima is a general-purpose computer algebra system for manipulating symbolic and numerical mathematical expressions. It is used for algebra, calculus, equation solving, linear algebra and other mathematical computations where an exact symbolic result is often more useful than a decimal approximation.
Maxima can work with expressions containing variables and functions, simplify complicated formulas and derive analytical results. It also performs numerical calculations using exact rational numbers, arbitrary-precision integers and variable-precision floating-point values. This combination makes it useful for mathematical research, engineering calculations, teaching and checking lengthy algebraic derivations.
The system is descended from Macsyma, originally developed at MIT. Maxima can be operated interactively from a terminal or through graphical frontends, including wxMaxima, which presents calculations in a document-oriented interface. It also provides facilities for writing reusable mathematical procedures and plotting functions and data.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Symbolic differentiation and integration of mathematical expressions.
- Taylor series, power series and Laplace transforms.
- Symbolic and numerical solution of algebraic equations and systems.
- Ordinary differential equation solving.
- Polynomial expansion, factorisation and simplification.
- Exact arithmetic with rational numbers and arbitrary-precision integers.
- Variable-precision floating-point calculations.
- Matrix and vector operations, including linear algebra calculations.
- Manipulation of lists, sets and mathematical expressions.
- Tensor algebra and calculations involving indexed expressions.
- Support for assumptions, substitutions and simplification rules.
- Two-dimensional and three-dimensional plotting through Gnuplot.
- Interactive terminal interface and support for graphical frontends.
- Programming facilities for defining functions and automating mathematical calculations.
- Cross-platform support – runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Website: maxima.sourceforge.io
Support:
Developer: Maxima development team
License: GNU General Public License v2.0
Maxima is written in Lisp. Learn Lisp with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
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|---|---|
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| wxMaxima | GUI for the sublime Maxima CAS |
| Xcas | Cross-platform mathematical environment |
| REDUCE | General-purpose computer algebra system for symbolic computation |
| OSCAR | Comprehensive computer algebra system for advanced mathematics |
| Axiom | General purpose Computer Algebra system |
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