From: nb@Sunburn.Stanford.EDU (Nancy Blachman)
Subject: The BMUG Math SIG Meeting August 17
Originator: nb@Sunburn.Stanford.EDU
Organization: Computer Science Department, Stanford University
Distribution: ba
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 21:19:45 GMT

          Aymptotic Expansions of Integrals with Mathematica
                     talk and demonstration by
                              N.T. Gladd
                    Berkeley Research Associates
                             P.O. Box 241
                        Berkeley, CA  94710
                      Email: ntg@rho.lanl.gov
                      Telephone: 510-548-0250

                                and

                 New Math Program for Mac to Debut
                             Real Answer
                     talk and demonstration by
                            Chris Forden

      BMUG Math SIG Meeting at 7 pm on Monday, August 17, 1992

 
The approximation of integrals by means of asymptotic expansions is a
powerful technique with many applications in science.  The methods used
to obtain these approximations, however, are often algebraically intense
and quite tedious.  Tom Gladd will illustrate how Mathematica can be used 
to facilitate the calculation of asymptotic approximations to integrals.  
Specific examples of approximation by means of power series expansion,
successive integration by parts, and the methods of stationary phase and 
steepest descent will be presented.  In addition, the visualization
capabilities of Mathematica will be used to illustrate integrands,
contours of integration, and other mathematical entities encountered
in the analytic process.

Chris Forden will speak to the BMUG Math SIG on Monday, August 17, 1992 about a
new program being released for the Macintosh.  Real Answer(TM) is a general
purpose mathematics tool that is very easy to learn and use.  It quickly solves
the simple, numerical problems that scientists and engineers frequently
encounter.  It allows users to conveniently enter and edit algebraic
expressions as pure text.  It also automatically solves sets of simultaneous
linear and/or nonlinear equations.  It consumes little memory, so it is ideal
for portables or small Macintoshes.  It's first release will be a shareware
version.
 
An algebraic expression can be calculated by entering it in the Answers and
Scratch Window and then pressing <enter> or <return>.  Real Answer then prints
the numerical result in the same window the expression was entered into.  A
unique feature allows convenient re-submission and documentation of modified
versions of expressions previously submitted.
 
Because it is much more convenient to use than the typical graphic 'calculator'
Desk Accessory, the authors expect it to be frequently used.  Most math
problems people deal with are not extremely complex, so the tool of choice is
designed for ease of use.
 
Aficionados of numerical techniques may appreciate the fact that Real Answer
keeps an iteration-history window whenever it solves a set of simultaneous
equations.
 
Real Answer finds real-valued solutions to equations and expressions with
real-valued coefficients, hence its name.  It uses purely numerical techniques
for solving problems, so it can give the user a lot of power with minimal cost.
It handles expressions with the familiar, algebraic order of symbol entry, so
it is easy to learn.  Since it can handle expressions with virtually unlimited
length, nested parentheses, and long variable names, and since its facility for
solving simultaneous equations is numerically optimized, it can handle even
difficult problems.
 
Real Answer is published by ARSoftware of Landover, Maryland.  They have
recently begun publishing general purpose and scientific software on a variety
of platforms and can be reached at (800) 257-0073.
 

These presentations will be at the BMUG office at 2055 Center Street
in Berkeley.  The office is near the north west corner of Center Street
and Shattuck Ave. which is half a block from the Berkeley BART station.

Driving directions:
	Take the University exit off 80.
	Head east on University toward the UC Berkeley campus.
	Turn right at Shattuck (McDonalds will be at the corner.)
	Go 2 blocks.
	Turn right on Center and look for parking.
	I recommend the parking garage on the left, as the one on
		the right closes at 8 pm.

For more information on the Berkeley Macintosh Users Group (BMUG) 
Mathematics Special Interest Group (SIG), contact: 
	Nancy Blachman
	Variable Symbols, Inc
	2161 Shattuck Ave., Suite 202
	Berkeley, CA  94704-1313
	Email: nb@eris.berkeley.edu
	or     nb@cs.stanford.edu
	Fax: 510-843-8702
	Telephone: 510-843-8701
Newsgroups: sci.math.symbolic