Computer algebra multiplies in mathematical software systems

The rapid growth in computing power and processing systems over the past 10 years has led to a similar explosion in mathematical software systems having a wide range of capabilities and applications. Most systems have a nominal ability to perform numerical operations. However, only a few systems have the ability to adequately perform symbolic, or computer algebra (CA) operations. Obviously, CA implementations and applications have been the strongest growth area in the mathematical software market. This growth is due to CA's ability, on a desktop computer, to automatically manipulate symbolic equations, including integrals and partial differential equations, and thus speed up development and modeling times.