Exploring Mathematics with Your Computer

When this book was published in 1993, it was a great book, suitable for use in many different math classes. Engel uses programs written in the language Pascal to solve many different math problems to the extent that Pascal could handle them. At that time, the size of integers was rather limited, so solutions could be found only as long as they were small. The problems and solutions are split into the following categories: a) Number theory. *) Probability *) Statistics *) Combinatorial algorithms *) Numerical algorithms There is also a section of miscellaneous problems. Each problem is explained in detail and there is a functioning Pascal program that will identify any solutions. Time and the several swimlanes of advancement in technology have rendered this book obsolete. Pascal is no longer the primary language of computer science instruction and the limits on the size of integers are now almost laughable. The power of symbolic mathematics packages such as Mathematica has rendered the writing of a program in any other way an act of foolishness. With their ability to store numbers almost unlimited in size and the ease and simplicity of writing programs inside them, symbolic mathematics packages give you almost unlimited power to perform mathematical tests. The associated ease and quality of display render the simple dot diagrams in this book almost useless. A significant achievement in its time, this book is now largely of historical interest. Engel was a trailblazer with an axe and a shovel, only now even the programming novice can use bulldozers and chainsaws.