AN ON-LINE SYSTEM FOR ALGEBRAIC MANIPULATION.
Abstract
FAMOUS is an on-line system for the manipulation of linguistic forms. Although these forms can have quite arbitrary interpretations, the standard interpretation is that they are algebraic expressions. FAMOUS allows its 'algebraic expressions' to include arbitrary functions which may or may not be defined. In this way, regular non-algebraic constructions may be concealed as arguments of ad hoc functions. Rules of local change are the heart of FAMOUS, and supplied by the user. Using these rules, FAMOUS looks at an algebraic manipulation as a series of local changes. The centrality of proximity in FAMOUS was orginally prompted by G-theory, which might be called the study of proximity. The presentation in Chapter II is complete, but it has rather a cookbook tone. Chapter III is a more reflective attempt to define the power and nature of the system. Algebraic 'simplification' has been a benchmark of algebraic manipulators, and it is discussed in Chapter IV. A more novel application, that of limit problems, is discussed in Chapter V. Finally, Chapter VI consists of miscellaneous remarks about possible and impossible lines of further work. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0657282
Entities
People
- Robert Ross Fenichel
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology