I am using Octave for math but it doesn't have symbolic

[lilzz]

it doesn't have symbolic solution or an equation.
Instead just plotting some numbers.

What can I learn from some plotting of graph?

Why people Octave is good for math?

Btw I am taking some math classed in college.

[Paeryn]

it doesn't have symbolic solution or an equation.
Instead just plotting some numbers.
What can I learn from some plotting of graph?

It does more than just plot pretty graphs, and you can learn a lot from looking at a function's graph, I'm sure you'll learn all about it in college. Octave does have a symbolic package that can be added, but generally Octave is numerical.

I think if you need a Computer Algebra System then maxima might be better for you, (I'm using command line version here but I'm sure the graphical version is available - wxmaxima)

Code: Select all

(%i4) integrate(x^2+3*x-3, x);
                                 3      2
                                x    3 x
(%o4)                           -- + ---- - 3 x
                                3     2

Why people Octave is good for math?

Octave is good for what it does, which is being a mathematical programming language for numerical solutions (and graphs).

[stderr]

it doesn't have symbolic solution or an equation.
Instead just plotting some numbers.
What can I learn from some plotting of graph?
Why people Octave is good for math?

What can you learn from geometric representations? I would think a lot. Octave is an attempt to clone Matlab and most people would consider Matlab to have value, especially those who paid for it.

[Morann]

I think if you need a Computer Algebra System then maxima might be better for you

[ChemCow]

Octave is good at matrix math, that is linear algebra. It is also a computing language, as mentioned by others. It is actually a pretty powerful mode of computing, and can do many basic functions (addition, subtraction and multiplication & division). So long as you do these functions correctly for a matrix, you can do the basics you seek. For calculus operations, you will need to use Mathematica. Since Octave is free, and can run on multiple cores without paying for it, that would be its strength. For educational uses in college courses, you will find matematica typically is all you need.