Essential Mathcad for Engineering, Science, and Math w/ CD

Essential Mathcad for Engineering, Science, and Math w/ CD

Brent Maxfield

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2009
• Print ISBN: 9780123747839
• eBook ISBN: 9780080912295
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Mathematics
• Subtopic: Computer Graphics
• Index: Mathematics

Essential Mathcad for Engineering, Science, and Math w/ CD, Second Edition, introduces the most powerful functions and features of the software and teaches their application to create comprehensive calculations for any quantitative subject. Examples from a variety of fields demonstrate the power and utility of Mathcad's tools, while also demonstrating how other software, such as Excel spreadsheets, can be incorporated effectively. A companion CD-ROM contains a full non-expiring version of Mathcad (North America only). This new edition features a new chapter that introduces the basics of Mathcad to allow the reader to begin using the program early; applied examples and problems from a wide variety of disciplines; and more thorough discussions of commonly used engineering tools – differential equations, 3D plotting, and curve fitting. Its simple, step-by-step approach makes this book an ideal text for professional engineers as well as engineering , science, and math students. *Many more applied examples and exercises from a wide variety of engineering, science, and math fields* New: more thorough discussions of differential equations, 3D plotting, and curve fitting.* Full non-expiring version of Mathcad software included on CD-ROM (North America only)* A step-by-step approach enables easy learning for professionals and students alike

Part I

Building your Mathcad Toolbox

Outline

Introduction

Chapter 1: An Introduction to Mathcad

Chapter 2: Variables and Regions

Chapter 3: Simple Functions

Chapter 4: Units!

Introduction

Just as you store tools in a toolbox, you store Mathcad tools in your Mathcad toolbox. Your Mathcad toolbox is the place where you will store your Mathcad skills—the tools that will be discussed in Parts II and III. You build your Mathcad toolbox by learning about the basics of the Mathcad program and the Mathcad worksheet. The chapters in Part I teach about variables, expression editing, user-defined functions, and units. These chapters create a foundation upon which to build. They create your Mathcad toolbox.

Chapter 1

An Introduction to Mathcad

This chapter is intended to quickly teach you some fundamental Mathcad concepts. We will only touch the surface of many Mathcad concepts. In later chapters, we will get into more depth, and build on the concepts covered in this chapter. This chapter also teaches techniques to create and edit Mathcad expressions.

Chapter 1 will:

Show how to do simple math in Mathcad.

Teach how to assign and display variables.

Explain how to create and edit math expressions.

Demonstrate the editing cursor and the different forms it takes.

Discuss the use of operators.

Demonstrate how to wrap a math region.

Briefly discuss the Mathcad toolbars.

Introduce and define math and text regions.

Introduce built-in and user-defined functions.

Introduce units.

Introduce arrays and subscripts.

Discuss the variable ORIGIN.

Describe the difference between literal and array subscripts.

Introduce range variables.

Introduce X-Y plots.

Encourage completing several Mathcad tutorials.

Before You Begin

If you don't already have Mathcad installed on your computer, take a few minutes and install the included version of Mathcad 14. This is the full unexpiring version of Mathcad. This will allow you to follow along and practice the concepts discussed in this book. It will also give you access to Mathcad Help and Mathcad Tutorials.

Essential Mathcad is based on the US version of Mathcad. It is also based on the US keyboard. There may be slight differences in Mathcad versions sold outside of the United States.

We suggest that you read and do the exercises in the Mathcad tutorial before or just after reading this chapter. You can open the Mathcad tutorial by clicking Tutorials from the Help menu. This opens a new window called the Mathcad Resources window. In this window you will see a list of Mathcad tutorials. Click the Getting Started Primers. Each of these primers is excellent. You may choose to do them all, but for the purpose of this chapter, focus on the following topics: Entering Math Expressions, Building Math Expressions, Editing Math Expressions, First Things First, and Adding Text and Images. This chapter cannot replace the experience gained by completing the Mathcad tutorials.

Mathcad Basics

Whenever you open Mathcad, a blank worksheet appears. You can liken this worksheet to a clean sheet of calculation paper waiting for you to put information on it.

Let's begin with some simple math. Type 5+3=. You should get the following:

Now type (2+3)*2=. You should get the following:

You can also assign variable names to these equations. To assign a value to a variable, type the variable name and then type the colon : key...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Preface
• Acknowledgement
• Part I: Building your Mathcad Toolbox
• Part II: Hand Tools for your Mathcad Toolbox
• Part III: Power Tools for your Mathcad Toolbox
• Part IV: Creating and Organizing your Engineering Calculations with Mathcad
• Appendix 1: Keyboard Shortcuts
• Appendix 2: Keys for Editing and Worksheet Management
• Appendix 3: Greek Letters
• Appendix 4: Extra Math Symbols
• Appendix 5: Mathcad Predefined Variables
• Appendix 6: Reference Tables
• Index