"The Use of Computer Algebra in a Step-by-step Solution of Problems"

Eno Tonisson
University of Tartu
Liivi 2-209
Tartu EE2400
Estonia
E-mail: eno@ut.ee



The role of computer algebra in the change of teaching and learning  
mathematics is very important. 
Computer algebra enables solving of many problems in such a 
way that after entering of the problem (e.g. equation) the final solution 
appears immediately. 
But from the point of view of the learning process, such a capacity is not 
always very useful. Especially if one of the aims is learning to know the 
process of solution. 
The presentation will handle the possibilities of computer algebra 
in a step-by-step solution of problems. For example, the 
solving of an equation in a way that tranformations between the problem 
and the final solution would not be lost. An important question is with 
which topics it is reasonable to use such a step-by-step approach and 
which topics might be better dealt with using a one-step solution process. 
The examples are based mainly on Maple.