Bridging symbolic computation and economics: a dynamic and interactive tool to analyze the price elasticity of supply

It is not possible to achieve the objectives and skills of a program in economics, at the secondary and undergraduate levels, without resorting to graphic illustrations. In this way, the use of educational software has been increasingly recognized as a useful tool to promote students' motivation to deal with, and understand, new economic concepts. Current digital technology allows students to work with a large number and variety of graphics in an interactive way, complementing the theoretical results and the so often used paper and pencil calculations. The computer algebra system Mathematica is a very powerful software that allows the implementation of many interactive visual applications. Thanks to the symbolic and numerical capabilities of Mathematica, these applications allow the user to interact with the graphical and analytical information in real time. However, Mathematica is a commercially distributed application which makes it difficult for teachers and students to access. The main goal of this paper is to present a new dynamic and interactive tool, created with Mathematica and available in the Computable Document Format. This format allows anyone with a computer to use, at no cost, the PES(Linear)-Tool, even without an active Wolfram Mathematica license. The PES(Linear)-Tool can be used as an active learning tool to promote better student activity and engagement in the learning process, among students enrolled in socio-economic programs. This tool is very intuitive to use which makes it suitable for less experienced users.Funding Agency Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology UID/ECO/04007/2019info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Feynman-diagram evaluation in the electroweak theory with computer algebra

The evaluation of quantum corrections in the theory of the electroweak and strong interactions via higher-order Feynman diagrams requires complicated and laborious calculations, which however can be structured in a strictly algorithmic way. These calculations are ideally suited for the application of computer algebra systems, and computer algebra has proven to be a very valuable tool in this field already over several decades. It is sketched how computer algebra is presently applied in evaluating the predictions of the electroweak theory with high precision, and some recent results obtained in this way are summarized.Comment: 7 pages, updated version of proceedings contribution to ACAT 2000, Fermilab, October 200

The technological mediation of mathematics and its learning

This paper examines the extent to which mathematical knowledge, and its related pedagogy, is inextricably linked to the tools – physical, virtual, cultural – in which it is expressed. Our goal is to focus on a few exemplars of computational tools, and to describe with some illustrative examples, how mathematical meanings are shaped by their use. We begin with an appraisal of the role of digital technologies, and our rationale for focusing on them. We present four categories of digital tool-use that distinguish their differing potential to shape mathematical cognition. The four categories are: i. dynamic and graphical tools, ii. tools that outsource processing power, iii. new representational infrastructures, and iv. the implications of highbandwidth connectivity on the nature of mathematics activity. In conclusion, we draw out the implications of this analysis for mathematical epistemology and the mathematical meanings students develop. We also underline the central importance of design, both of the tools themselves and the activities in which they are embedded

Design and Development of Software Tools for Bio-PEPA

This paper surveys the design of software tools for the Bio-PEPA process algebra. Bio-PEPA is a high-level language for modelling biological systems such as metabolic pathways and other biochemical reaction networks. Through providing tools for this modelling language we hope to allow easier use of a range of simulators and model-checkers thereby freeing the modeller from the responsibility of developing a custom simulator for the problem of interest. Further, by providing mappings to a range of different analysis tools the Bio-PEPA language allows modellers to compare analysis results which have been computed using independent numerical analysers, which enhances the reliability and robustness of the results computed.

Supporting active database learning and training through interactive multimedia

The learning objectives of a database course include aspects from conceptual and theoretical knowledge to practical development and implementation skills. We present an interactive educational multimedia system based on the virtual apprenticeship model for the knowledge- and skills-oriented Web-based education of database course students. Combining knowledge learning and skills training in an integrated environment is a central aspect of our system. We show that tool-mediated independent learning and training in an authentic setting is an alternative to traditional classroom-based approaches

Compositional Performance Modelling with the TIPPtool

Stochastic process algebras have been proposed as compositional specification formalisms for performance models. In this paper, we describe a tool which aims at realising all beneficial aspects of compositional performance modelling, the TIPPtool. It incorporates methods for compositional specification as well as solution, based on state-of-the-art techniques, and wrapped in a user-friendly graphical front end. Apart from highlighting the general benefits of the tool, we also discuss some lessons learned during development and application of the TIPPtool. A non-trivial model of a real life communication system serves as a case study to illustrate benefits and limitations

ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS EDUCATION WITH COMPUTER ALGEBRA: THE MATLAB ALTERNATIVE

Computer algebra systems have become an important tool for many engineering and technical professionals. There is a growing need to incorporate such tools into the education of such professionals. This paper discusses these systems and their role within engineering mathematics in higher education. Some advantages and problems associated with computer algebra are highlighted and illustrated using MATLAB

Software (Re-)Engineering with PSF III: an IDE for PSF

We describe the design of an integrated development environment (IDE) for PSF. In the software engineering process we used process algebra in the form of PSF for the specification of the architecture of the IDE. This specification is refined to a PSF specification of the IDE system as a ToolBus application, by applying vertical and horizontal implementation techniques. We implemented the various tools as specified and connected them with a ToolBus script extracted from the system specification