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From: merchant@dartvax.UUCP (Peter Merchant)
Newsgroups: net.micro.mac,net.ai
Subject: Re: Algebraic manipulators for the Mac
Message-ID: <5271@dartvax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 17-Oct-86 19:55:03 EDT
Article-I.D.: dartvax.5271
Posted: Fri Oct 17 19:55:03 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 21-Oct-86 08:05:21 EDT
References: <258@hao.UUCP>
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH
Lines: 30
Xref: watmath net.micro.mac:8358 net.ai:3787

> ...I recently saw were a company called Industrial Computations Inc.
> of Wellesley, MA is marketing a program called "PowerMath".  The ad reads
> 
> 		Type in your problem, using conventional math notation, and
> 		PowerMath will solve your calculus, algebra and matrix
> 		problems.  PowerMath does factorials, summations, simultaneous
> 		equations, plots, Taylor series, trigonometry and allows 
> 		unlimited number size.  
> 
> That last statement ("...unlimited number size.") hints at PowerMath being a 
> symbolic computation engine as opposed to an equation solver like TKSolver.
> Thanks in advance for any input.
> 								Bill Roberts

I had a chance to use PowerMath and was severely impressed.  It does all sorts
of mathematical functions and has a very nice Macintosh interface.  I have a
feeling, though, that is program was originally designed for a mainframe.

I would love to see PowerMath run on a Mac with a Prodigy upgrade, or maybe
a HyperDrive 2000.  I used one on a 512K Mac and, while it was very good,
was the most slowest (yes, I meant to do that) program I had ever seen.  The
program took minutes to do what TK!Solver seconds.

On the other hand, it did do everything it advertised.  Made good graphs, too.
If time is not a problem for you, I'd really suggest it.  If anyone has detes
on it running on a Prodigy upgrade, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
--
"Do you want him?!                             Peter Merchant
 Or Do you want me!?
 'Cause I want you!"