# Symbol for derivative in MAPLE

I am trying to use MAPLE to do some computations involving system of equations which terms are derivatives of functions.

When I type diff(alpha(x),x) it shows $\frac{d}{dx}\alpha(x)$. Is it possible to change this notation to obtain something like this: $\alpha'(x)$?

-
 What is wrong with $\frac{d}{{dx}}\alpha (x)$? – glebovg Nov 19 '12 at 23:05 Nothing wrong, theoretically. But since I have many symbols like that, not only for $\alpha$ (to be true I have $\alpha_1,\alpha_2$), it would be clear with prime notation. – Sigur Nov 19 '12 at 23:08

To change to $\alpha'(x)$, go to Preferences, Display and change Typesetting level to Extended (it should be Maple Standard by default). I have a Mac version, I believe it should be similar for PC. Another approach would be to type interface(typesetting = extended). Use interface(typesetting = standard) to go back to Leibniz notation. Typing

with(Typesetting): RuleAssistant()

should launch Typesetting Rule Assistant, which allows you to specify when to use prime notation and when to use dot (Newton) notation.

-
Hum, it does not work. I'm using Classical Worksheet. Maybe is this the reason? I'm using Linux. – Sigur Nov 19 '12 at 23:14
Nice link, but I guess that my Maple's version does not have the option prime since that it isn't shown when I load the package Typesetting. – Sigur Nov 19 '12 at 23:22
Typing RuleAssistant() should launch Typesetting Rule Assistant. – glebovg Nov 19 '12 at 23:28
Read my previous comment. Type interface(typesetting = extended). Then try diff(alpha(x),x). Use interface(typesetting = standard) to go back to Leibniz notation. – glebovg Nov 19 '12 at 23:49
The Typesetting Rule Assistant allows you to specify to which variables prime notation applies. If you type diff(alpha(t),t) and diff(alpha(y),y) you should get $\dot \alpha (t)$ and $\frac{d}{{dy}}\alpha (y)$, respectively. Just something to keep in mind. – glebovg Nov 20 '12 at 0:09