Mathematica as a Calculator You can use Mathematica just like a
calculator: you type in questions, and Mathematica prints back
answers. Ask Mathematica what 3 + 5 is; it prints back 8.
Mathematica adds the In and Out labels; you do not type them.
You end each line with . The ^ stands for "to the power of".
This asks Mathematica to work out the inverse of a 2 x 2 matrix.
Mathematica can handle formulas as well as numbers. This asks
Mathematica to integrate a simple function. This asks
Mathematica to solve a quadratic equation. The result is a list
of rules for x convenient for use in other calculations.
Mathematica can also create two and three-dimensional graphics.
This creates a 2D plot of a simple function. Here is a 3D plot.
You can access many of the calculator features of Mathematica
just by pushing buttons in standard palettes. Learn more about
palettes