Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

One of the authors' stated goals for this publication is to "modernize" the course through the integration of Mathematica. Besides introducing students to the multivariable uses of Mathematica, and instructing them on how to use it as a tool in simplifying calculations, they also present intoductions to geometry, mathematical physics, and kinematics, topics of particular interest to engineering and physical science students. In using Mathematica as a tool, the authors take pains not to use it simply to define things as a whole bunch of new "gadgets" streamlined to the taste of the authors, but rather they exploit the tremendous resources built into the program. They also make it clear that Mathematica is not algorithms. At the same time, they clearly see the ways in which Mathematica can make things cleaner, clearer and simpler. The problem sets give students an opportunity to practice their newly learned skills, covering simple calculations with Mathematica, simple plots, a review of one-variable calculus using Mathematica for symbolic differentiation, integration and numberical integration. They also cover the practice of incorporating text and headings into a Mathematica notebook. A DOS-formatted diskette accompanies the printed work, containing both Mathematica 2.2 and 3.0 version notebooks, as well as sample examination problems for students. This supplementary work can be used with any standard multivariable calculus textbook. It is assumed that in most cases students will also have access to an introductory primer for Mathematica.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

This attractive book successfully incorporates modern technology, specifically the Mathematica computer algebra system, into multivariable calculus, as a supplement to a traditional text on the subject. Although some time is spent on basic topics, considerable effort is made to treat those subjects that benefit particularly from Mathematica, such as curve, surface, and solid sketching and calculations too tedious or too complicated to be done without Mathematica. It also contains many applications to physics. Only brief discussions of the mathematics involved are included, but there are complete reviews of the Mathematica commands used throughout and numerous examples. A diskette is included with Mathematica commands from the text in notebooks for the reader to run. These are error-free. The notebooks are in Mathematica Version 3.0, but unfortunately not all the capabilities of this version are utilized. The commands are all written in Version 2 rather than the two-dimensional format available in the new version. Recommended highly to those interested in applying Mathematica to multivariable calculus. Undergraduates through professionals. J. H. Ellison; Grove City College