Review of Maple 6

The term Computer Algebra System (CAS) is commonly applied to such mathematics packages as Maple Mathematica Macsyma Reduce Derive and perhaps Mathcad. This reflects their origins as programs for manipulating symbolic expressions for research purposes rather than being descriptive of what they have become. With their graphical numerical and presentational capabilities these packages could now more accurately be described as “Systems for doing applying and demonstrating Mathematics” – a variant of Stephen Wolfram’s original sub-title of Mathematica. As a consequence of the blending of these separate facilities the latest CASs are very powerful tools for teaching and learning mathematics.