Mathematical Software Evaluation Report: Mathcad Plus 6.0 versus Mathematica 3.0

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA337847 | Open PDF

Abstract:

In early 1997, the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the United States Air Force Academy conducted an evaluation to determine whether to migrate from Mathematica 2.2 to Mathematica 3.0 or to switch to Mathcad Plus 6.0 which was being successfully used by the Department of Physics. A 38 members team evaluated the suitability of both software packages in terms of user friendliness and functionality using sample problems taken from Precalculus, Calculus I, II, and III, Differential Equations, and Engineering Mathematics as well as some advanced physics courses. This technical report is a comprehensive documentation of this evaluation describing the methodology, findings, and conclusions of this evaluation. In the end, the Department of Mathematical Sciences choose to migrate to Mathematica 3.0 due primarily to superior functionality, while the Department of Physics found that Mathcad Plus 6.0 met all of their needs and was easier to use by their students.

Author(s):
Hadfield, Steven M. ; Crockett, Carl ; Simonich, Paul J. ; Mcharg, Matthew G. ; Mandeville, William J.
Author Organization(s):
AIR FORCE ACADEMY COLORADO SPRINGS CO DEPT OF MATHEMATICS
Descriptive Note:
Final rept.
Supplementary Note:
DOI: 10.21236/ADA337847
Pagination:
0164

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
USAFA-TR-97-10
Monitor Series:
USAFA
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_1.2.1_Training; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_1.2.2_Exercising; JCA_4.6_Engineering; JCA_1.2.5_Lessons Learned; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_5.5.2_Task; JCA_5.5_Direct; JCA_1.2.6_Concepts; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_1.3.2_Personnel Management
Modernization Areas:
Quantum Science and Computing; Fully Networked C3
Communities of Interest:
Energy and Power Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*SOFTWARE ENGINEERING, *COMPUTER PROGRAM VERIFICATION, COMPUTER PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION, MATHEMATICAL PROGRAMMING, USER NEEDS, USER FRIENDLY
Field(s)/Group(s):
Computer Programming and Software
Keyword(s):
MATHCAD COMPUTER PROGRAM, MATHEMATICA COMPUTER PROGRAM, FUNCTIONALITY, USEABILITY
Report Date:
1997 Nov 10
Creation Date:
1998 Mar 18