USING MATHCAD TO SOLVE SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS MathCAD is a very powerful tool that can help you to solve some

of the simultaneous equations you encounter in your courses. This is particularly helpful if you have 3 or more equations, or if you have equations involving trig functions. Below are the steps for setting up MathCAD to solve the equations. You will be using a find block to solve the equations. 1. Load MathCAD. When you first load MathCAD you will have a blank screen. You should see a red cursor in the shape of a + sign. You can place the cursor anywhere you want using the mouse. When you start typing you will automatically be creating a math region. 2. Begin by guessing values for the unknowns. To enter this information, type: X := 1 Y := 3

You will type as many guesses as you have unknowns. Notice the special symbol that is used (:=) This is called a definition symbol, and you can find it on the evaluation toolbar:

The definition symbol is located here

Each one of you guesses is typed in a separate math region. You can lay them out horizontally or vertically, whichever you prefer. X := 1 or X := 1 Y := 3 3. Type the word Given in another math region. Y := 3

4. Type the equations in separate math regions. Use the Boolean Equal sign in place of the normal equal sign. You can get the Boolean Equal sign 2 ways. You can type ctrl = or pick it off the evaluation tool bar.

The Boolean Equal sign is located here

5. In another math region, use the find function. The format of the function is: Find(X,Y)= In this expression you will use a normal equal sign. Either type it in or pick it off the evaluation toolbar.

The equal sign is located here

When you type the equal sign, the solutions to your equations will automatically appear in a column matrix just to the right of the equal sign.

6. Example Problem .3077 Y - .2673 Z = 0 .4472 X - .2308 Y - .5345 Z = 0 .8944 X + .9231 Y + .8108 Z 500 = 0 Find: X, Y, Z (below is what the MathCAD window should look like)

x := 150 Given .3077 y .2673 z

y := 150

z := 150

0 0 500

.4472 x .2308 y .5345 z .8944 x + .9231 y + .8198 z

265.801 Find ( x , y , z) = 140.49 161.724