Computer algebra: the end of mathematics?

Abstract

Mathematical software systems, such as Mathematica, Maple, Derive, and so on, are substantially based on enormous advances in the area of mathematics known as Computer Algebra or Symbolic Mathematics. In fact, everything taught in high school and in the first semesters of a university mathematical education, is available in these systems 'at the touch of the button'. Will mathematics become unnecessary because of this? In the three sections of this essay, I answer this question for non-mathematicians, for mathematicians and for (future) students of mathematics.