Open Source Symbolic Math Packages?

Posted by Cliff on Saturday January 10, 2004 @03:41PM from the here-we-go-again dept.

3Suns asks: "There are many proprietary symbolic mathematics suites available, including Mathcad, Mathematica, and Maple. Strangely, I can't find a single free software project with similar functionality. These programs are as ubiquitous in universities and engineering companies as they are expensive. Given the deep roots of open-source in higher education, what can explain the lack of free/open-source mathematics software?" We last addressed this question three years ago, but a lot can change in that time. Has it?

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Please explain by rudy_wayne · 2004-01-10 15:46 · Score: 0, Flamebait

There's a reason why these programs are expensive. They are very complex programs that take a lot of time and effort to create. Why exactly do you feel that someone should put out an enormous amount of time and effort to create a progrma of this tyoe and then give it to you for free?