Mathcad shortcuts typically used in engineering calculations

IMPORTANT: 1. Automatic calculation: top-down and left-right. 2. Write-in comments next to equations. Provide good descriptions. 3. Use the help F1 4. Seek clarity!

ITEM
TEXT MODE Greek letters MATH MODE Indicator (little black square) Variables Any name can be used (ex. a, b, c, diameter, DC) For subscripts, (ex. P1, Hdr) multiplication division power (ex. P2) addition root mathematical subscript (called index) Units Assigning a unit (ex. size = 3 meters) Angles Conversions (for observing) Create your own unit (ex. kPa) Equations Use equal signs below to write equations Use the spacebar to create equations correctly Indeces Equal signs Assign a value or an expression to a variable Evaluate to find the value of a variable Solve operations with Mathcad Solve for a variable with Symbolics tab PLOTTING Creating Arrays 1. Create Indices (i goes from 0 to 100) 2. Create your variable

PRESS
letter Ctrl g

COMMENTS
Cursor turns red Do not start with a ( Often used as variable names (ex. for stress) Cursor must be blue Inherent to math mode Avoid using units for variable names (ex. cm, Pa) DO NOT use P [ 1

P.1 * / ^ + \ [

H.dr

Like MS Excel

Not the same as . (which is a text subscript) Mathcad has built-in units Mathcad uses radians by default

size : 3 * m Mathcad will yield size = 3 m If you type in in the indicator, Mathcad will yield size = 118.11 in !!! Start again if the cursor turns red (text mode) What does this mean? try it If using indices, you must have the same indices in BOTH sides of the equation.

size = kPa : 1000 * Pa

: =
Ctrl

Typing c : b - 2 tells Mathcad that c is equal to b - 2 Typing c = asks Mathcad for the value of c Typing c Ctrl = b - 2 prepares Mathcad for a symbolic operation. Select a variable from an equation involving the Solve equal sign, and then go to the Symbolics tab

i : 0 ; 100 x [ i : i * 0.1

Any letter can be used, but try sticking to i The bracket creates a subscript, such that x varies according to i.

Manipulating Plots Create 2-dimensional plot Write in relevant variable names in the x- and yindicators (little black squares) Scales Data

Similar (but not equal) to Excel

Shift

2 Do not forget the index subscripts! You must use the same index for x- and y- axes Change scale extreme values IN figure Play with tabs (self-explanatory)

Click once on figure Click twice on figure

If a variable turns red, there is a problem (most common = variable not defined above, subscript missing, singularity or division by zero, dimensional heterogeneity).

BE NEAT.

Write comments next to your work!

Julio Valdes SDSU, 2003