Maths software significantly improved

Maple 8 is the newest version of the widely adopted Maple mathematical computation product line from Waterloo Maple.

Maple 8 is the newest version of the widely adopted Maple mathematical computation product line from Waterloo Maple.

Maple 8 is one of the most significant releases in the product's long history.

The extensive list of new features includes Maplets, which allows users to customise Maple's user interface, and a suite of routines that form an introductory course in calculus.

Maplets is a powerful Java-based technology that allows users to customise Maple 8's graphical user interface.

Maple applications created using Maplets can be rolled out to users unfamiliar with Maple so they can access its computational power through buttons, menus, text boxes and many other familiar user interface mechanisms.

Maple 8 features an updated version of the original Maplets, which was first released in December 2001 exclusively to experienced Maple users registered with Waterloo Maple's Extended Maintenance Plan (EMP), which delivers new addon components via the MaplePrimes.com website.

It is now available to all users of Maple 8.

Also included in Maple 8 is a special package for introductory calculus.

This suite of intelligent routines is designed to help teachers and students of calculus.

The package has two powerful main features: a tutor that guides students through differentiation, integration and limit problems; and a series of one-step commands that create visual aids for calculus lessons.

These tools provide a visual insight into calculus concepts while saving students and teachers hours of error-prone computing and manual preparation.

Other powerful new tools for mathematicians and scientists in Maple 8 include numerical solutions to partial differential equations with boundary conditions; new packages for vector calculus and calculus of variations; an extensible database of over 13,000 predefined scientific and physical constants; and optimised code generation to the Java language.

These and other powerful routines significantly extend the analytical reach of users in academic and industrial research in the applied and physical sciences, and strengthen Maple's reputation as the leader in sophisticated mathematical computation.

New worksheet user interface facilities include a spell checker, an interactive plot builder, greater control over numerical displays and general improvements to Maple's web publishing features.

Through these features, users benefit from a greater level of convenience and flexibility to manage the immense power of the Maple system.

Maple 8 delivers a comprehensive environment for visualising and exploring mathematical concepts and developing mathematical applications.

Combined with free add-on packages at www.MaplePrimes.com (for customers of the Maple EMP) and hundreds of applications available to all users at the Maple Application Centre (http://mapleapps.adeptscience.co.uk) Maple 8 is the most flexible analytical tool for professors, researchers, scientists, engineers and students.

Maple 8's technical features include the most advanced suite of mathematical solvers, intelligent symbolic algorithms for all areas of mathematics, scientific visualisation, a powerful programming language, and connectivity to the Web, Microsoft Excel, Matlab, and external C, Fortran and Java programs.

There is something new in Maple 8 for every Maple user.

According to Dr Tom Lee, Waterloo Maple's Vice President of Marketing and Executive Product Director, "Maple 8 constitutes both a revolution and evolution in mathematical computing.

Innovations such as Maplets enable entirely new ways of accessing Maple".

Dr Lee adds, "Many of the new maths routines extend our lead in the realm of solvers.

Overall, we believe Maple 8 strikes a dynamic balance between our product's rich history and bright future".

Maple 8 is available for Windows, Macintosh, Linux and various Unix platforms.

Full details are available at http://maple.adeptscience.co.uk.

A a wide variety of full and upgrade licence options is available from Adept Scientific for academic and commercial users.

Maple 8 can also be purchased online from Adept Scientific's webstore.

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