THREE DIFFERENT EQUAL SIGNS

X≔5 This type of equal sign is used to define the value of a

variable. Use the SHIFT-colon, i.e. :, to get this. X now has
the value of 5 everywhere BELOW (not above!) this spot in
the worksheet, unless it is redefined.

X=5 This is just the equal sign, =. It is used to display the

value of the variable X.

X＝5 This is intended to be used to define the equations

being solved in a Solve Block. If you use this outside of
a Solve Block, it is meaningless and is ignored by
Mathcad. However, I sometimes use it to make a note
of equations that I want to remember, i.e.
1
KE ＝ ―⋅ m ⋅ v 2
2

TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUBSCRIPTS

in
vmax ≔ 5 ⋅ ― The subscript was inserted using the Subscript icon at
s the top of the Mathcad main page. It is NOTATIONAL
ONLY. It is just part of the variable name.
Note that units should be displayed in BLUE font.. If you
type in what you intend to be units, and they are not
displayed in BLUE, then there is a problem.

The other type of subscript is an INDEX indicating

position in an array or a matrix. It is inserted using
⎡0⎤ the [ key.
⎢1⎥
m≔⎢ ⎥ m =0 m =1 m =3 m =?
⎢2⎥
0 1 3 4

⎣3⎦
The most common mistake people make with subscripts is to use the icon
at the top of page (for notational subscript) to try to refer to an element in
an array or matrix.
Note that the positions in arrays and matrices always start with zero, not 1.
The 4X1 matrix above has 4 rows, but the fourth row is referenced by the
index of 3 (not 4), because the first row is row 0. The fourth row is
undefined, as shown.
 Unlike Excel, Mathcad is SEQUENTIAL. If you use a variable that you
have defined, it has to be defined ABOVE where you use it, and not
below.
y=? asking for the value of y
y≔6 before it is defined

y=6 asking for the value of y

after (below) it is defined

Use a text box to insert text. If you just start typing text, Mathcad
thinks you are trying to define a variable or something, like

text Mathcad thinks this is a variable name, for

which I have not yet assigned a value

text = ?

When you type a calculation or equation, or if you are trying to solve an

equation, if something shows up with a red box around it (like the equation
just above this), it means that there is an error. You need to fix the errors
before you move on to the next part of the problem.

X=5

X+Y=? (Y is undefined at this point)

Y ≔ 10 (I fixed the problem by defining Y)

X + Y = 15 (now it works)