Maxima (software)

Maxima is a free and open-source computer algebra system (CAS). It is a descendant of the Macsyma system, which was developed in the late 1960s at MIT. Maxima shares Macsyma's heritage of powerful symbolic computation capabilities, allowing users to perform a wide range of mathematical operations, including:

• Symbolic calculations: Manipulation of algebraic expressions, including simplification, expansion, factorization, and solving equations.
• Calculus: Differentiation, integration, limits, series expansions, and more.
• Linear algebra: Matrix operations, eigenvalue problems, and vector calculations.
• Differential equations: Solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs) and some partial differential equations (PDEs).
• Numerical computation: While primarily symbolic, Maxima also provides functions for numerical approximation.

Maxima is known for its:

• Extensive functionality: A large library of functions covers a broad spectrum of mathematical areas.
• Extensibility: Users can extend Maxima's capabilities by writing their own functions in Lisp, the language Maxima is written in.
• Cross-platform compatibility: It runs on various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Active community: A dedicated community of users and developers contributes to its ongoing development and support.

The system is commonly used in education, research, and various engineering and scientific applications where symbolic computation is necessary. Its open-source nature makes it accessible to a wide range of users. Maxima's interface can be used through a command-line interface or through graphical user interfaces provided by third-party developers. The primary distribution method is typically through source code, requiring compilation for some platforms.