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1993-06-29
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****************************************************************
*** GODEL - The intelligent maths processor for the Atari ST ***
****************************************************************
** Contents **
1. Introduction
2. Getting Started
3. Conventions
3.1. Numeric Formats
3.2. Unknowns
3.3. Powers
3.4. Brackets
3.5. Equations and expressions
3.6. Errors
3.7. Timings
4. Functions
4.1. DESK
4.1.1. About Godel
4.2. FILE
4.2.1. Quit
4.3. ALGEBRA
4.3.1. Define Constants
4.3.2. Enter Expression
4.3.3. Display Function
4.3.4. Summation
4.3.5. Differentiate
4.3.6. Integrate
4.3.7. Show Working
4.3.8. Save Working
4.3.9. Erase Working
4.3.10. Print Working
4.4. GRAPHS
4.4.1. Set Parameters
4.4.2. Plot Graph
4.4.3. Erase Graph
4.4.4. Print Graph
4.5. WOOLLEYSOFT
4.5.1. Using Godel
4.5.2. About WOOLLEYSOFT
4.5.3. Shareware
5. The Tool Palette.
1. Introduction **
Godel is an intelligent mathematics processor which can do arithmetic, solve
equations, plot graphs and even knows calculus!
Why waste time doing your maths homework when Godel will do it for you, and let
you get back to the serious business of beating the latest computer game!
Godel is the latest Shareware product from WOOLLEYSOFT. The PD version is
fully functional, with the following exceptions
a. The 'Show Working' function has been turned OFF. This means that you will
not be able to see the working required to produce the final answer when
simplifying expressions or solving equations.
b. The program will not process any equation whose final form after
simplification includes a power of x greater greater than 1. For example
Godel will process 5 = 2x-3 or y = 1/2x, but not 6 = x(x+2) or y = 1/x^2.
However expressions will be processed - so for instance (x+2)(2x-3) will
be simplified to give 2x^2 + x - 6.
If you register with us (a mere 10 pounds, a registration form is included on
this disk) we will supply you with the latest full version which gives you the
intermediate steps in the working out and no restrictions on equation
processing.
2. Getting Started **
Godel runs in either high or medium resolutions. If you are running on a
colour monitor or TV in low resolution you should reset to medium using the
SET PREFERENCES item in the OPTIONS menu. You will need both GODEL.PRG and
GODEL.RSC in the folder from which you are running. Godel uses the standard
GEM environment.
Kick off the program in the usual way by double clicking on the GODEL.PRG icon.
The PD version will present you with a dialog warning you about the PD
restrictions, and after clicking on EXIT you will then enter the program proper.
Godel uses three windows. The WORKING window is, as you might expect, the work
pad. Godel writes information here about the expression or equation being
processed. The PLOT GRAPH window is used to plot graphs for equations, and the
TOOL PALETTE window contains a tool kit (all the functions on this are also
available through the menu).
We'll go through the details of the program later, but for now lets try
entering first an expression to simplify, then an solving an equation and
plotting it's graph.
Click on the f(x) icon in the TOOL PALETTE window (top left), or chose the
"Enter expression" item from the ALGEBRA menu heading. A dialog box appears
for you to enter an expression. Type in "(2x-3)(x+5)" (omitting the quotes),
and click on OK when done. The dialog box will disappear and the program will
write the following to the work window:
Processing (2x-3)(x+5)
2x^2 + 7x - 15
(note that the carat sign ^ is used in this document to indicate a power both
where Godel would print a power directly, or where you need to enter one).
Now lets try an equation. Click on the f(x) icon again and enter "3 = 2(x-1)".
The following appears in the WORKING window.
Processing 3 = 2(x-1)
Solving for linear equation
solution = 5/2
Q.E.D.
Now to plot this equation. Go to the GRAPHS menu heading and choose the
PLOT GRAPH item. The graph will now be plotted in the PLOT window. You
can view this graph by expanding the window in the usual way.
3. Conventions **
3.1. Numeric Formats
Godel processes integers and fractions. It does not understand
decimals. All numbers should be entered in the format n, n/d or
i/n/d. Thus the following are all valid: 1, -45, 1/6, 24/78, -7/21,
2/1/2 (this last is read as two and a half). Within any expression
a number is assumed to be a fraction where possible :- for instance
1/2x will be interpreted as one half times x, and NOT 1 over 2x.
The latter should be entered as 1/(2x).
3.2. Unknowns
Godel will only accept x as an unknown. It understands all the
usual mathmatical conventions, so that the following are all valid
expressions: x, 2x, 2(x+1), x(x+1).
Two clarify the display of reciprical unknows (i.e. 1/x etc) the
following convention is used: 1/6x should be read as 1 divided by
6 times x, and 1/6.x should be read as one sixth times x.
3.3. Powers
Where possible Godel will print out powers as superscripts in the
usual way. Where not possible, and where powers must be entered
from the keyboard, Godel understands the ^ symbol as indicating that
the next number is a power (i.e. x^2 is x squared). All powers must
be positive whole numbers less than 5. The following expressions
are therefore all valid: x^2, 2x^2, (2x+1)^3.
3.4. Brackets
Godel understands the usual conventions. Furthermore Godel computes
using infix conventions, i.e. it works out the contents of brackets
from the inside out - normally! Any number of brackets may be nested.
The full shareware version displays the working out for each set of
brackets.
3.5. Equations and expressions
Simply, expressions do not contain an equals sign, equations do.
Equations may be in one of two forms: solvable, such as 3 = 2x-1,
and non-solvable, such as y = 2x - 1 (Godel only accepts the term
"y =" on the left hand side of an equation, and it must be in
precisely this format - i.e. "2y =" would not be valid. Godel will
always attempt to solve the first, but will just simplify the second
as far as possible. Godel will only plot, summate, or perform
calculus on equations.
3.6. Errors
Godel will report on any detected errors in the WORKING window, and
if sufficiently serious, will halt the computation.
3.7. Timings
Godel may appear to 'hang' if you enter an expression which gives an
intermediate of a high order with large multiplicands
(ie 1/(2x-6) * (x^3+x-1)/(2x-5)). This is because the program will
be looking for all possible simplifications - and this could take a
while. Go away and make a cup of coffee! (The final answer is
(x^3+x-1)/(4x^2-22x+30).
4. Functions **
4.1. DESK
4.1.1. About Godel
This prings up a dialog box displaying basic information about
version, release date and author.
4.2. FILE
4.2.1. Quit
Quits Godel
4.3. ALGEBRA
4.3.1. Define Constants
Godel allows you to define up to seven constants. Enter the constant
and it's value using this dialog. A constant can be any valid string,
for example you could define A as: 2, 22/7, x+1, 2(x-1).
4.3.2. Enter Expression
Use this dialog box to enter an expression or equation.
4.3.3. Display Function
The last equation or expression entered is considered to be the
current function (in it's simplified or solved format). This item
displays the current function.
4.3.4. Summation
Only available for equations. Works out the value of the equation
for all integer values between the maxiumum and minimum (inclusive)
entered by the displayed dialog box.
4.3.5. Differentiate
Only available for equations. Differentiates the current function.
4.3.6. Integrate
Only available for equations. Integrates the current function
(note that the constant of integration is ignored).
4.3.7. Show Working
When turned on displays details of the computation in the WORKING
window. Not available in the PD version.
4.3.8. Save Working
Writes the current contents of the WORKING window to a file.
4.3.9. Erase Working
Erases the current contents of the WORKING window.
4.3.10. Print Working
Sends the current contents of the WORKING window to the printer.
4.4. GRAPHS
4.4.1. Set Parameters
Only available for equations. Displays a dialog box that allows you
to set the x and y range to be plotted, and an optional graph title.
Initially set to no title and x and y ranges of -10 to +10.
4.4.2. Plot Graph
Only available for equations. Plots the current function.
4.4.3. Erase Graph
Only available for equations. Erases the current plot and resets
the parameters to the defaults.
4.4.4. Print Graph
Only available for equations. Sends the current contents of the
PLOT GRAPH window to the printer.
4.5. WOOLLEYSOFT
4.5.1. Using Godel
Displays some information about Godel.
4.5.2. About WOOLLEYSOFT
Displays some information about WOOLLEYSOFT.
4.5.3. Shareware
Displays some information about the shareware status of Godel.
5. The Tool Palette.
All the functions on the tool palette may be accessed through the menus. The
functions are placed on the palette as follows.
Enter | Sum | Differentiate | Show | Erase | Plot | Erase
function | | | Working | Working | Graph | Graph
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Set | Show | Integrate | Save | Print | Set Graph | Print
Constants | Function | | Working | Working | Parameters | Graph