Re: What is a general algorithm for inputting and manipulating math functions?

Doing an Altavista search on "algorithms for computer algebra" turn up a 
number of interesting and useful web sites.  Here's a link to a 

college text on the subject.. 
Also, here is a website with Java source code for mathematical function 
algorithms:

Developer.com for Math
 You might also try taking a look at the 
sci.math.symbolic newsgroup.

Good luck!

Steve Czarnecki