Maxima
Maxima is a free, open-source computer algebra system (CAS) for symbolic computation, including algebraic manipulation, calculus, equation solving, and plotting. It is written in Common Lisp and provides a command-line interface and graphical front-ends like wxMaxima. Maxima is widely used in education, research, and engineering for mathematical modeling and analysis.
Developers should learn Maxima when working on projects requiring symbolic mathematics, such as scientific computing, physics simulations, or engineering design, where exact algebraic solutions are needed. It is particularly useful for automating complex derivations, solving differential equations, and performing symbolic integration, making it a valuable tool in academic and technical fields that rely on mathematical rigor.