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Introduction
At Telemark College, Department of Technology in
Porsgrunn, Norway, we have during the last four years
incorporated the computer algebra system Maple V as an integrated
part of the learning process througout all the subjects in the
engineering mathematics curriculum. Maple's capability of both
symbolic and numerical computation and graphical visualization
permit us to develop greater conceptual understanding of the
process under study not evident before the advent of a CAS tool
like Maple. An important part of the design of a process is the
modeling and simulation. The Maple system enables us to develop
both simple and complex mathematical models in classrooms and
labs, run them, analyze their output, modify them and rerun them
easily. This makes mathematics more relevant and motivating for
engineering students and provides valuable insight into the
underlying dynamics, which helps the learner of mathematics to
gain a better feel for what is going on than has hitherto been
possible. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how Maple
can be used to investigate and visualize with animations a
selection of examples from our engineering mathematics curriculum
[1, 2, 3], Taylor polynomials for f(x,
y), the motion of a simple
pendulum, a system of two or three spring-coupled masses,
reflection and transmission of a wave pulse at a boundary,
graphical interpretation of some convolutions and graphical
visualizing of the solutions of a discrete dynamical system
described by a difference equation.