Chapter 5

Range Variables and Arrays

Creating Arrays

Iterative Calculations

Accessing Array Elements

Displaying Arrays

Working with Arrays

Creating Arrays

This section describes creating and working with arrays of numbers and math expressions.

Vectors and Matrices

In Mathcad a column of numbers is a vector and a rectangular array of numbers is called a matrix. The general term for a vector or matrix is an array. The term vector refers to a column vector. A column vector is simply a matrix with one column. You can also create a row vector by creating a matrix with one row and many columns. You may wish to distinguish between the names of matrices, vectors, and scalars (single numbers) by font. Names of vectors could be set in bold while setting scalars in italic. See “Math Styles” on page 35.

Insert Matrix Command

To insert a vector or matrix:

1.Click in either a blank space or on a math placeholder.

2.Choose Matrix from the Insert menu, or click

on the Matrix toolbar to open the Insert

Matrix dialog box.

3.Enter the number of elements for “Rows” and “Columns.” For example, to create a threeelement vector, enter 3 and 1.

4.An array with blank placeholders appears in your worksheet.

Next, fill in the array elements. You can enter any math expression into the placeholders of an array. Simply click in a placeholder and type a number or expression. Use the [Tab] key to move from placeholder to placeholder.

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