Animation Tools of CAS for Dynamic Exploration of Mathematics

The scope of the paper is animation facilities of computer algebra systems (CAS). Animation offers opportunities for visualization of complex mathematical concepts, provides convincing demonstration of ideas and influence of quantities or parameters, helps to generate hypothesis, encourages exploration. Animation can be used to demonstrate many mathematical concepts that are difficult to explain verbally or to show with static pictures. Using animation allows students to explore, experiment and visualize mathematics as a dynamic process. But CAS creates only opportunities. The problem remains for users to realize this potential. So features of CAS such as ease of use, convenience of procedures are important for teaching and learning. The paper deals with animation features of the three most popular CAS – Maple, Matlab, Mathcad and their usefulness in education. The results of practical use of the three CAS in teaching animation procedures are discussed and students’ opinion about animation tools of CAS is presented.