| Tip or Issue | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Use ":=", not "=" | Most of the time, you mean to assign a value to a variable (or "name"), to do this, use ":=", not "=" | x := 12; |
| Do not assign letters to variables | There is no point in typing in something like "x := c;", it does not accomplish anything | |
| Once you name something, use the name | If you name something - say "f1 := x->x^3-3*x+4;" - and you want to find this expression's value when x=1, just type "f1(1);", don't type "1^3-3*1+4;" | c := 12; 3 + c; not 3 + 12; |
| Do not set the letter "x" to anything | Do not assign a value (eg "x := 12;" <- don't do this) to any letter you use as a variable in functions (ie "f := x->3*x;") - it may cause problems | |
| Use "*" for multiplication | Don't do something like "3(x+y)", always be sure to put an asterisk ("*") between terms being multiplied. | "3*(x+y);" |
| Use "->" to define functions, not "f(x)" | Functions are defined using the "arrow operator", this notation is different from the notation used in textbooks (don't do this: "f(x)=3x;"). | "f := x->3*x;" |
| Use "evalf()" for a decimal result | If Maple returns something like "4+cos(2)" and you need a more understandable number, try "evalf(4+cos(2));" or place the original expression that returned the less understandable result inside of an "evalf()" call | |
| Use "exp", not "e" | The exponential function is named "exp", do not do any of the following: "e^x;", "exp^x", "e^3", "exp^3" | do this: "exp(x);" or "exp(3);" |