A MACSYMA solution to problem 8

ABSTRACT

Fitch's Random Walk problem [2], strikes the author as one of the first in the series of SIGSAM problems which may be used to demonstrate the ease of use of the various algebraic manipulation systems. In our case little effort was expended to speed up the computation, and yet we were able to generate all the terms one could desire in a few minutes. On the other hand, the solution of the problem is not so transparent as to obviate the calculation. It is a happy day for algebraic manipulation systems when it only takes a few minutes to go from the statement of a problem to its solution.

REFERENCES

• 1: Boole, George, <u>A Treatise on the Calculus of Finite Differences</u>, Dover Publications, New York, 1960. (Reprint of Macmillan and Co. edition of 1872).
• 2: John Fitch, Problem #8: random walk, ACM SIGSAM Bulletin, v.8 n.4, p.11-11, November 1974 [doi>10.1145/1088288.1088289]
• 3: Mathlab Group, <u>MACSYMA Reference Manual</u>, version 7, Project MAC, M.I.T., Cambridge, Mass. January 1974.
• 4: Zippel, R. E., "Power Series in MACSYMA," in preparation.