UNCERTAINTY CALCULATIONS USING FREE CAS SOFTWARE MAXIMA

Dirk Röske

Abstract

There are many computer software packages available for the calculation of measurement uncertainties. Some are free and open source, but many are not free to use or are restricted to non-commercial use. Not in all cases, however, is it necessary or advisable to purchase and learn to use a more or less fully featured software package. Some simple calculations can be done using free spreadsheet software contained in LibreOffice or OpenOffice. Also, MS Excel is often already available on the PC. <BR />In some other cases the calculations are not simple, especially when the partial derivatives of the model functions have to be calculated. It would then be agood idea to use a free computer algebra system (CAS). This software facilitates symbolic mathematics. <BR />This paper shows how to use the free CAS Maxima for calculating uncertainties of the torque values realized in a torque standard machine. The tool can also be used for the independent verification of uncertainty calculation results. Some additional tools can make the use of Maxima even simpler.

Keywords

uncertainty calculation, computer algebra system, CAS, Maxima

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IMEKO-TC3-2014-016.pdf

DOI

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IMEKO TC

TC3 - Measurement of Force, Mass, Torque, and Gravity

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