Mathematica for Brand-Spanking New Users

Calling All Newbies

Ann Kullenberg

Instructor of Mathematics, Interlochen Arts Academy

Abstract

You know that Mathematica is cool.  You know that it is powerful.  You know that you want to use it.  But still, you might be a little intimidated or unsure of exactly how to get started.  In this talk, I will introduce you to the features that you can begin using right away, and give you ideas and suggestions about where to put your focus as you become a more confident Mathematica user.  I will show you some examples of the things I have been doing with Mathematica--especially in my high school mathematics classes.  And, I will welcome questions about what you would like to be doing with Mathematica.

Just The Facts, Ma'am

What is Mathematica?  Where did it come from?  Who is Wolfram?

Read Some History

When you first begin to use Mathematica, it can feel a little overwhelming.  Studying up on a bit of the background gave me insight into Mathematica and motivated me to learn all that I could learn.  It also made me realize just how vast and comprehensive Mathematica is, and made me understand that I won't necessarily be able to learn it all at once.  I recommend the following:

Hyperlink["http://www.stephenwolfram.com/about-sw/"]

Hyperlink["http://www.wolfram.com/products/mathematica/history.html"]

First Things First

Get The Big Picture

What is the overall structure of Mathematica?  What is Mathematica Player?  What is the Demonstrations Project?  What are the Screencasts, Seminars, Tutorials, and Courses?

The Wolfram Mathematica Learning Center Can Help

Hyperlink["http://www.wolfram.com/learningcenter/"]

MouseOver

Quick Overview -  short, informative, colorful

Screencasts - these are the hot ticket!

Free Online Seminars (don't forget the Library Archive) - these are also great!

How-Tos - these are probably very good, but I can't really tell you...

Tutorials (and Documentation Center) - you can get to the Documentation Center from Help

Courses - not free, but take one anyway

The Demonstrations Project - Warning!  You could spend a LOT of time here

Second Things...Well...Second

Wolfram Web Resources

Hyperlink["http://www.wolfram.com/webresources.html"]

All Manner of Things Mathematica, including

WolframAlpha

MathWorld

gallery

tones

Also, There Is A Student Resources Page

Hyperlink["http://www.wolfram.com/products/student/mathforstudents/resources.html"]

Many of the same resources, some special resources just for students

Don't forget about the Live Chat -- students can ask questions about Mathematica

Maths, Poets, Rabbits, & All That Jazz

A Nice Variety of Demonstrations

LinesTwoPoints
GraphOfInequalities
FibonacciRabbits
NFlakes
RefrigeratorPoetry
MusicalIntervalRecognition
JazzVoicings

Tried and True

Some Stuff I Made

ListPlot[{{24,15.5},{25,17.1},{26,18}, {27,19.6},{28,20.8},{29,23.3},{30,24.5},{31,25.2},{32,21.9},{33,23.3}},Background->LightGray, PlotStyle->Purple, PlotMarkers->{Automatic, Medium}]

Plot[{-2Sin[3*x- Pi/4]+5,5},{x,-2Pi,2Pi},PlotRange->{-3,8}, Ticks->{Range[-2Pi,3Pi,Pi/3],Range[-3,8,1]},PlotStyle->{{Darker[Green],Thick},{Orange,Dashed,AbsoluteThickness[2]}},Mesh->{Range[Pi/12,2Pi/3,Pi/6]},MeshStyle->{Blue,AbsolutePointSize[5]}]

Manipulate[Plot[{A*Sin[3*x-Pi/4]+5,5},{x,-2Pi,2Pi},PlotRange->{-5,10},PlotStyle->{{Darker[Green],Thick}, {Orange,Dashed,AbsoluteThickness[2]}},Mesh->{Range[Pi/12,2Pi/3,Pi/6]},MeshStyle->{Blue,AbsolutePointSize[5]},Ticks->{Range[-2Pi,3Pi,Pi/3],Range[-2,10,2]}],{A,-4,4,1},"What happens to the graph as the value of A changes?"]

Tried and True, continued

Some More Stuff I Made

Plot[{(E^(-x))*Sin[3*x],(E^(-x)),-1*(E^(-x))},{x,-π,π},PlotStyle->{{Blue,Thick},{Magenta,AbsoluteThickness[1]},{Magenta,AbsoluteThickness[1]}},Ticks->{Range[-Pi,Pi,Pi/6],Range[-16,7,2]},PlotRange->{{-Pi,Pi},{-16,7}},Mesh->{Range[-Pi,Pi,Pi/6]},MeshStyle->{Black,AbsolutePointSize[4]}]

Verifying An Identity Graphically:

Plot[Sec[x]^4-Tan[x]^4,{x,-Pi,Pi}, PlotStyle->{Red,AbsoluteThickness[2]}]

Plot[1 + 2*Tan[x]^2, {x, -Pi,Pi}, PlotStyle->{Blue,AbsoluteThickness[2]}]

The Binomial Theorem

Expand[(x + y)^2]

Expand[(x + y)^3]

Expand[(x + y)^4]

Manipulate[Expand[(x + y)^n], {{n,0,"n = Exponent of (x+y)"},0,6,1}]

The BUNomial Theorem

Expand [(x + )^2]

Expand [(x + )^3]

Manipulate[Expand[(x + )^n], {{n,0,"n = Exponent"},0,3,1}]

Oh, Bother!

The Printy Thingy!

Sometimes when I try to print, for reasons unbeknownst to me, my Mathematica notebook becomes a Lilliputian!

Roads Taken...and not so taken...

Bringing Mathematica to my Science Colleagues
Converting All Course Materials To Mathematica Notebooks
Programming in Mathematica
Training Students in Mathematica
Interactive Modules for Students
Mathematica & Clickers (Classroom Response System)

The End