Variables

1. You can assign a value to a variable:
> z := 5;

                                z := 5

> z^2;

                                  25

> 2*z;

                                  10

2. What happens if you forget an asterisk(*)?

3. Reestablish z as a variable with no value assigned to it:
> z := 'z';

                                z := z

> z^2 + 4*z;

                                2
                               z  + 4 z

4. The " symbol is assigned the value of the last expression evaluated:
> ";

                                2
                               z  + 4 z

> " -2*z;

                                2
                               z  + 2 z

> " -3;

                              2
                             z  + 2 z - 3

5. There is a factor command in Maple:
> factor(");

                           (z + 3) (z - 1)

Check this result using the expand command:
> expand(");

                              2
                             z  + 2 z - 3

6. An expression can be assigned to a variable name:
> p := x^2 + 2*x -3;

                                2
                          p := x  + 2 x - 3

> p;

                              2
                             x  + 2 x - 3

> factor(p);

                           (x + 3) (x - 1)

> p;

                              2
                             x  + 2 x - 3

7. Solve the equation:
> solve(p=0);

                                -3, 1

8. You can plot or graph an expression:
> plot(p, x=-4..4);

Notice how the domain is specified.
You must use the two periods rather than a comma.

9. You can, if you wish, specify the range values:
> plot(p, x=-4..4, y= -10..10);

10. You can easily change the domain of your graph:
> plot(p, x=-2..3, y=-10..10);

>