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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Re:Please explain by Permission+Denied · 2004-01-10 16:01 · Score: 1, Offtopic

There's a reason operating systems 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 an operating system and then give it to you for free?