DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/TYG1-BA09
Defense Date
1983
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Mathematical Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Richard E. Allan
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to design and implement a program that could be used for a drill in symbolic mathematics. The scope of the program with respect to the range of problems that it solves is limited to selected types from elementary algebra, trigonometry, differential calculus, and integral calculus. The program is designed, not only to give solutions (answers), but also to provide several of the intermediate steps leading to the final result.
FORMAC73 and PL/1 are used to implement the program. FORMAC73 is a system and a language for manipulating mathematical expressions, symbolically. The facilities of PL/1 are available for program structure, loop control, testing, input and output operations, and manipulating the strings so as to get the intermediate steps.
The program is designed to provide supplementary assistance to give students drill, practice, and review several specific topics in the stated areas. The program may also be used by instructors to check or to provide answers to particular problems, say for an examination or homework. The program does not attempt to diagnose the student‘s difficulties.
The main accomplishments of this paper will be to show the potential of using FORMAC73 with the existing facilities at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) to develop an extensive tutorial drill; particularly in arithmetic and algebra. The paper will also show that it is possible to develop a comprehensive CAI package in symbolic mathematics by using existing symbolic mathematics systems.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
10-1-2018
Comments
Scanned, with permission from the author, from the original print version, which resides in University Archives.