Computer island

Calculus Computer Lab
Math 241-242


Lab Schedule

Tutor Room

Online Grapher

Winplot Manual

Derive Basics

Utility Functions

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Lab Usage:

-- Terms of Acceptable Use:
Each student must agree to the Terms of Acceptable Use statement for the UH Math Dept Computer Lab. The students agree to obey all of the terms of use and conditions set forth in the UH Information Technology Resources Policy. Their policy is here:

http://www.hawaii.edu/infotech/policies/itpolicy.html

The policy for the math lab will be the same, but adds in particular that

Students agree not to:
1) Download, install software or run any outside programs or software packages.
2) Download or upload work protected by copyright or files not related to class work.
3) Attempt to gain unauthorized access to remote computer systems.

In addition you acknowledge that:
4) There is no expectation of privacy in the Math Lab and your activities may be monitored.

-- Accounts and passwords:

Each lab account can use a portion of the network hard for storing files. You save your files to the H: drive and not the local hard disk or C: drive. In Derive you would typically save your lab by using the Save As ... option on the File tab and then saving you file with the name H:\lab1. To open a file you would use the Open option on the File tab and enter H: <cr> to see a list of your files.

In order to keep others from using your account you need to keep your password secret. For example, don't write it down next to your account number in your notebook where others can see it.

Graphing and Calculus Software

wxMaxima:

-- Download wxMaxima: (click to view info)
You can download this free software which is available for Window, MacOS, Linux and UNIX computers. This software is installed on the lab PCs and is used in the calculus classes for graphing and symbolic calculus calculations. In addition, the math department has many sample sessions available on their website.

Derive 6:

--Derive Basics:
The Derive 6 software is installed on the lab PCs. There is an online lab manual available on the math dept website for learning to use the software. In particular, Chapter 0 of the lab manual explains the basic usage techniques. (Note: You need to have the Adobe PDF reader installed on your system. Click the icon below if you need to install this plugin.)
-- Online Derive Demo: (click to view)
You can view and download videos from the math department website. These videos show how to get started using Derive 6. You will need a Windows PC with sound capabilities and you will need to install some video software in order to view the videos. After installing the video component software you can use the links below to listen to the videos. The videos are available on a CD in Keller 419.

Opening Derive for Windows
Entering Algebraic Expressions and Constants
Functions
Basic Graphing
Substituting
Using `Solve'
Differentiating and Integrating
Limits
More about Graphing
The Vector Function
Iterates, applied to non-overlapping generations
Matrix Operations
Inserting Text Objects, Families of Tangent Lines
Euler's Method, Foxes and Hares
 
--Utility Functions:
We use a special collection of interesting new functions for the lab. They are contained in a Derive utility file. Click on the "Utility Functions" link on your left for a discussion and examples of their use. If you use Derive at home you can download the required files ADD-UTIL.DFW and ADD-UTIL.MTH at the bottom of that page.
--Purchasing Derive 6:Derive
The software is not required for our classes but it is an excellent software package. Unfortunately, it is no longer sold by Texas Instruments. It should be possible to obtain a copy online from Amazon.com or other supplier.

 Note: If you have your own version of Derive you will need to copy the utility functions on to your computer. See above.
 

Other Free Graphing Software:

--Online Grapher: (click to try)
Try out this online grapher. Be sure to use the * character for multiplication and you zoom in on a point by dragging your cursor to form a rectangle around the point.
 
--Download Winplot Software: (click for instructions)
Winplot is a small but useful plotting program that can be downloaded and used on any Windows PC. It is available on the desktop in the PC lab in addition to Derive. Give it a try!

Mac users with OS Version 7.5 or later already have a plotting program on their Apple menu. Check it out.

Other Free Software:

--Just for fun ... read about an important math/computer problem:
The famous problem "P versus NP" problem is decades old and there is a million dollar prize to solve it. Now a mathematician in England has shown that the problem is equivalent to solving a larger version of the well know Minesweeper game that is included with the Windows operating system. Read the news story, Scientific American article or just play the game.

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