``Learning Macsyma'' shows you how to type commands into the macsyma interactive algebraic manipulation system.
You will learn a number of the basic commands,  how to correct simple errors, and enough details for you to understand the kinds of operations which can be done by an algebraic manipulation ystem.
macsyma (pronounced ``maxima''<footnote>) is a large computer program designed for the manipulation of algebraic expressions involving indeterminates, constants, and functions.
macsyma can differentiate, integrate, take limits, solve equations, factor polynomials, expand functions in power series, and perform many other operations.
You can use a programming language to extend macsyma's capabilities to new domains.
``Learning Macsyma''  is divided into twelve short sections.
A complete outline of the material they cover follows.
In chapter 1 you will learn
O How to type expressions into macsyma
O Some simple commands: expand, diff, ev, substitute 
O Defining functions
O Fill this in 


1.1 Typing Expressions

The section Getting started explained what to do to get to the first command prompt on your computer.
We assume you are now faced with a display something like this:

% macsyma (this is what you typed)
Isome textI
(c1)

Suppose you wanted to work with the expression (x+1)3.
You could type it in by using Fortran-style syntax as follows:

(c1) (x+1)**3;

The ``;'' and the (invisible) ``carriage return'' terminates your command, and prompts macsyma to evaluate your expression and display the result.
Your command can be several lines long, in which case you can format it any way you wish with extra spaces, tabs, or returns before the ``;''.
In this case of command c1 above, and every other command you type in, your expression is simplified and then evaluated.
As it happens here, tthese processes the expression unchanged, and macsyma responds with the display below

                                          3
(d1)                               (x +