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Xcas
Computer algebra system From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Xcas is a user interface to Giac, which is an open source[2] computer algebra system (CAS) for Windows, macOS and Linux among many other platforms. Xcas is written in C++.[3] Giac can be used directly inside software written in C++.



Xcas has compatibility modes with many popular algebra systems like WolframAlpha,[4] Mathematica,[5] Maple,[6] or MuPAD. Users can use Giac/Xcas to develop formal algorithms or use it in other software. Giac is used in SageMath[4] for calculus operations. Among other things, Xcas can solve differential equations (Figure 3) and draw graphs. There is a forum for questions about Xcas.[7]
CmathOOoCAS, an OpenOffice.org plugin which allows formal calculation in Calc spreadsheet and Writer word processing, uses Giac to perform calculations.[8]
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Here is a brief overview of what Xcas is able to do:[9][10]
- Xcas has the ability of a scientific calculator that provides show input and writes pretty print
 - Xcas also works as a spreadsheet;[11]
 - computer algebra;
 - 2D geometry in the plane;[12]
 - 3D geometry in space;[12]
 - spreadsheet;[11]
 - statistics;
 - regression (exponential, linear, logarithmic, logistic, polynomial, power)
 - programming;[13]
 - solve equations even with complex roots (Figure 2);
 - solving trigonometric equations
 - solve differential equations[14][15] (Figure 3);
 - draw graphs;
 - calculate differential (or derivative) of functions (Figure 2);
 - calculate antiderivative of functions (Figure 2);
 - calculate area and integral calculus;
 - linear algebra[16]
 
Example Xcas commands:
- produce mixed fractions: 
propfrac(42/15)gives 2 + 4/5 - calculate square root: 
sqrt(4)= 2 - draw a vertical line in coordinate system: 
line(x=1)draws the vertical line in the output window - draw graph: 
plot(function)(for example,plot(3 * x^2 - 5)produces a plot of y = 3x2 − 5 - calculate average: 
mean([3, 4, 2])is 3 - calculate variance: 
variance([3, 4, 2])is 2/3 - calculate standard deviation: 
stddev([3, 4, 2])is √6/3 - calculate determinant of a matrix: 
det([[1,2], [3,4]])is −2 - calculate local extrema of a function: 
extrema(-2*cos(x)-cos(x)^2,x)is [0, π] - calculate cross product of two vectors: 
cross([1, 2, 3], [4, 3, 2])is [-5, 10, -5] - calculate permutations: 
nPr() - calculate combinations: 
nCr() - solve equation: 
solve(equation,x) - factoring polynomials: 
factor(polynomial,x)orcfactor(polynomial,x) - differentiation of function: 
diff(function,x) - calculate indefinite integrals/antiderivatives: 
int(function,x) - calculate definite integrals/area under the curve of a function: 
int(function,x,lowerlimit,upperlimit)- calculate definite integral (also called solid of revolution) - finding volume by rotation (around the x-axis): 
int(pi*function^2,x,lowerlimit,upperlimit) - calculate definite integral (also called solid of revolution) - finding volume by rotation (around the y-axis) for a decreasing function: 
int(2*pi*x*function,x,lowerlimit,upperlimit) 
 - calculate definite integral (also called solid of revolution) - finding volume by rotation (around the x-axis): 
 - separation of variables: 
split((x+1)*(y-2),[x,y])produces  - desolve differential equation (the derivatives are written as y′ or y″): 
desolve(differential equation,y) 
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Supported operating systems
History
Xcas and Giac are open-source projects developed and written by Bernard Parisse and Renée De Graeve at the former Joseph Fourier University of Grenoble (now the Grenoble Alpes University),[24] France since 2000.[25] Xcas and Giac are based on experiences gained with Parisse's former project Erable.[26] Pocket CAS and CAS Calc P11 utilize Giac.
The system was also chosen by Hewlett-Packard as the CAS for their HP Prime calculator, which utilizes the Giac/Xcas 1.5.0 engine under a dual-license scheme.
In 2013, the mathematical software Xcas was also integrated into GeoGebra's CAS view.[27]
Use in education
Since 2015, Xcas is used in the French education system.[28][29][30][31] Xcas is also[32] used in German[33] universities,[34][35] and in Spain and Mexico.[36] It is also used at the University of North Carolina Wilmington[37] and the University of New Mexico.[38] Xcas is used in particular for learning algebra.[39]
χCAS
There is a port of Giac/Xcas for Casio graphing calculators fx-CG10, fx-CG20, fx-CG50, fx-9750GIII and fx-9860GIII, called χCAS (KhiCAS). These calculators do not have their own computer algebra system. It is also available for TI Nspire CX, CX-II, and Numworks N0110[40]
See also
References
Further reading
External links
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