Computer algebra in finite element method

Abstract

The earliest works in the field of analytical manipulations with computers appeared in 1950s. One of the ironic aspects of this activity is that the terminology keeps changing; that is quite common in the computer field but less common in mathematics, and this work is certainly a combination and bridge between them. The early terms that were generally used were "formula manipulation" or "formal algebraic manipulation". At later periods equivalent terms were "non numeric mathematics", "formal mathematical computation", "symbolic mathematics" and "symbol manipulation". The latest terms in vogue seem to be "symbolic computation" and simply "computer algebra". Let us stick to the last term. But regardless of what term is used, the intent is to consider those activities in which some aspects of formal mathematics is being done on digital computers.