MATHCAD Exercise guide

Program MATHCAD is very useful tool for the solution of the technical problems. The
program is user friendly. All students of VB-TUO, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering are
able to solve the technical problems using this software in the faculty computer rooms. The
program is suitable for dealing with team or individual projects.
In this guide, there are clarified the basic mathematical operations. For the better
understanding, the text is supplemented practical examples.

CONTENT
1. CHAPTER BASIC MATHEMATICAL OPERATIONS
2. CHAPTER CREATION OF TEXT
3. CHAPTER MATRIX
4. CHAPTER SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS
5. CHAPTER SYMBOLIC OPERATION
6. CHAPTER GRAPHS -2D
7. CHAPTER GRAPHS 3D
8. CHAPTER FUNCTION ROOT
9. CHAPTER VECTORS
10. CHAPTER EULEROVA NUMERICAL METHOD
11. EXAMPLES FOR REPETITION

1. CHAPTER

Philosophy of MATHCAD is very similar as other Microsoft products, it means

saving of files, opening of files, print of files and so on. All information on using
MATHCAD are in English language in Help, look at fig.1.1

Fig. 1.1 Help

In Help, there are clearly describe mathematical operations which is possible to do in

MATHCAD and there are simple examples for the better understanding (look at fig.
1.2.)

Fig. 1.2 Help and its using

Fig. 1.3 Help and Its Using

1.1 BASIC MATHEMATICAL OPERATION

There is possibility to do the basic mathematical operation using calculator (look at
fig. 1.4.).

Fig. 1.4 Calculator.

Types of the equal signs and their using is at fig. 1.5..

Fig. 1.5. Types of the Equals Signs

If the wrong equal sign is used, it is not possible to receive the numerical result.

If the Assigned sign is used, it is possible to solve the problem symbolically and
receive the different numerical results for different numeric entry.

It is necessary to choose the letters for the variables carefully. Some letters are
predefined in MATHCAD.

Example:

If in expression is red color, it means mistake.

If click on the expression, the explanation of the mistake appears.

There is possibility to use the right of the keyboard for the input.
1.2 UNITS
Basic information on units are in help (look at fig.1.6.) icon scoop.

Fig. 1.6 Units

During the numerical solution, there is not necessary to transfer units. The numerical
result is always in SI system.

Example:

If is necessary to receive the result in the different units, it is possible to transfer it by

click on the unit and to the black place holder to write the request unit.

The red color signalizes the mistake.

Example:

Angles
If the value is given in angles, it is necessary to add unit deg ..degree.
Otherwise, the value is given in radians.

Example:

Multiple units
In MATHCAD, there are not given multiple unites. It is necessary to predefine it.

Example:

2. CHAPTER CREATION OF TEXT

Text is input to the file byclick on the space bar. It means, write the text and click
on the space bar. Text is possible to edit by the same way as in Word and so on.
If the text is ready in Word and after that is input to MATHCAD, it is possible to reopen input text and edit it by double click on the right button of the mouse.
Edit the text is possible by opening the icon Format on the scroll bar (look at fig.
2.1.).

Fig. 2.1 Text Editor

Greek letters
Greek letters is possible to input:
1. Using the icon with Greek letters (look at fig. 2.2)

Fig. 2.2. Greek Letters

2. Hot-key - write letter and press key ctrl g.

a

It is possible to input pictures to the MATHCAD file without any restriction.

3. MATRIX
3.1. CREATION OF THE MATRIX
1. Matrix is created by click to icon Matrix (look at fig. 3.1)

Fig. 3.1. Creation of the Matrix_1

2. The second click to the opened window Matrix to icon matrix again (fig. 3.2)

Fig. 3.2 Creation of the Matrix_2

3. Fill the requested dimension of the matrix to the window Insert Matrix (fig. 3.3)

Fig. 3.3 Creation of the Matrix_3

3.2. OPERATION WITH MATRIX

For the work it is better to name the matrix (fig. 3.4). After that, the work is more
easy.

Fig. 3.4. Matrix Name

All operation possible to do in MATHCAD with matrix are described with simple
examples in Help (fig. 3.5.)

Fig. 3.5 Using Help

Determinant matrix A

Matrix inverse

Matrix transponse

Extract of the one element from

the matrix

Extract is done by one instruction

The first row and the fist column have the index 0.

Matrix addition

Adding the number

Symbolic operation with matrix.

All operations is possible to do by symbolic way (fig. 3.6.).

Fig. 3.6. Symbolic Operation with Matrix

10

4. SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS
4.1. SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS

If it is linear system of equations, it is possible to solve it using matrix operations.

A - matrix of constants
X matrix of unknown
V matrix of result

The way is described in the following example.

System of equations

The first row of the vector X is unknown x

The second row of the vector X is unknown y
The third row of the vector X is unknown z
(Because vector has one column, for the identification of one element is one number
enough).

11

Checking of the results:

Practical example:
Determine the force in the all beam of the truss as shown in the fig.3.7.
h = 4 m, b = 6 m, Q = 10 kN

Fig. 4.1. Truss System

System of equilibrium equations for every joint.

12

A matrix of constant
X matrix of unknowns
V matrix (vector) of results

Reaction in the support B

4.2 SYSTEM OF THE EQUATIONS (LINEAR, NON-LINEAR SYSTEM)

It is possible to solve the system of equations in MATHCAD using Given-Find.
Solution procedure will be illustrated on the example.
System of equations:

1. step - estimation result

2. step - given
3. step - system of equations
4. step - find

13

Checking of the results:

The result is not zero but the number is very small. The result has sufficient accuracy.
Warning: If the system is linearly dependent (infinitely solutions) , the results will be
the nearest value to the first guess result.
If the unknowns have units, it is necessary to solve the problems with respect to it.
It will be explain in example.
Determine the force in the all beam of the truss as shown in the picture bellow.
h = 4 m, b = 6 m, Q = 10 kN

14

15

5. SYMBOLIC OPERATION
5.1 SYSTEM OF THE QUADRATIC
SYMBOLIC SOLUTION

AND

CUBIC

EQUATIONS

The way of solution is explained on the picture bellow (fig. 5.1.).

Fig. 5.1. Way of Solution

Procedure:

Write equation with bold equal sign (fig. 5.2.).

Click by cursor to unknown what is needed to solve

Click by cursor to icon Symbolics Variable - Solve .

For quadratic equation there are two results.

Fig. 5.2. Equal Sign

Procedure for the cubic equation is the same.

16

There are three results (Fig. 5.3.)

Fig. 5.3. Way of Soulution

5.2

SYMBOLIC DERIVATION

5.2.1 USING ICON SYMBOLIC DERIVATION

The way of solution is described at fig. 5.4.

The procedure is following:

Write the function

Click by cursor to the variable

Click by cursor to the icon Symbolice-Variable-Differentater

17

Fig. 5.4. Symbolic Derivation

If the function has two variable, it is necessary to click by cursor to variable
according to which to derivation (fig. 5.5).

Fig. 5.5 Symbolic Derivation Function with Two and More Unknowns

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5.2.2

USING ICON CALCULUS

The procedure of the derivation is described at fig. 5.6. For the result is
necessary to use equal sign for the symbolical operation.

Fig.
5.6

Symbolic Derivation.

Procedure for the numerical result is described bellow:

All values have to be given

Function

19

Solution of the practical problems is shown bellow.

Practical example:
Determine the function of the velocity and acceleration of the piston of the crank
mechanism as shown in the scheme 5.7.

5.7. Scheme of the Crank Mechanism

Procedure of solution:

Find the function of the angle as the function of the time = (t)

Find the function of the angle as the function of the time = (t)

Find the coordinate x as the function of the time x=x(t). Coordinate x describe
the position of the piston.

Velocity of the piston v(t) - [m/s] velocity is the first derivation of the
coordinate x with respect time t.

Acceleration of the piston a(t) - [m/s2] - acceleration is the first derivation of

the velocity function with respect to time t or the second derivation of the
coordinate x with respect time t (fig. 5.8).

20

Fig. 5.8 - Solution of Kinematics Values of the Crank Mechanism

5.3

SYMBOLIC INTEGRATION

The procedure of the integration is very similar as procedure of the derivation described
above.

5.3.1 USING ICON SYMBOLIC INTEGRATION

The procedure of the integration is described at fig. 5.9.
Procedure

Write the function

Click by cursor to the variable

Click by cursor to the icon Symbolic-Variable-Integrate

If the function has two variable, it is necessary to click by cursor to variable according
to which to integration. (fig. 5.9).

21

Fig. 5.9 Symbolic Integration

5.3.2

USING ICON CALCULUS

The procedure of the derivation is described at fig. 5.10. For the result is
necessary to use equal sign for the symbolical operation.

Fig. 5.10 Symbolic Integration

22

The procedure for the numerical result of integration is the same as the procedure for
the derivation. It is described at fig. 5.11.

Fig. 5.11 Numerical Solution

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6. GRAPHS 2D
The Graph toolbar (fig.6.1) button allows to insert 2-D or 3-D graphs. There are
several way of the procedure of the graph creation.

Fig. 6.1 Graph Toolbar

6.1.

CREATING AN X-Y PLOT

1. step creation the plot of the variable x

x :=

..

10

The step of the variable is given by difference between value x1

and x2. Two dots is necessary to insert from the icon Matrix (Fig. 6.2)

Fig. 6.2 Creation of the Plot

2. f ( x) :=

3x

+ 2x +

Function of the variable x

3. Choose the type of the graph from the icon Graph (Fig. 6.3) and fill the variable to
the placeholder in axis x and function in axis y.

24

Fig. 6.3 Creation of the 2-D Graph

Using double click on the graph, the table Formattin Currently Selected X-Y Plot is
opened (Fig. 6.4).

Fig. 6.4 Formatting Currently Selected X-Y Plot

25

There is possible to change the type, the colour and the weigh of the curve (Fig.
6.5_1).

Fig. 6.5 Formatting Currently Selected X-Y Plot _1

There is possible to describe the graph (Fig. 6.5_2).

Fig. 6.5 Formatting Currently Selected X-Y Plot _2

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CREATING OF THE GRAPH 2ND WAY

6.2.

The procedure is described bellow and the graph is at fig. 6.6.

ORIGIN :=

n :=

10

i :=

xi :=

Open icon Graph ( fig.6.1 Graph Toolbar)

Choose the type of the graph

On axis x variable

On axis y function value

It has to done on the beginning

number of steps

..

n plot for the variable

3i

+ 2i +

function

Fig. 6.6 Graph 2nd Way

6.3.

CREATING OF THE GRAPH 3RD WAY

There is possibility to create the graph using icon PROGRAMMING. It is possible to

use it for one and more different function in the common graph. The procedure is described
bellow (Fig. 6.7).

27

Write the name of the function with assigned sign (look at fig. 1.5)

Open the icon PROGRAMMING

Write the first unction

Click at Add line and write the second function

Other steps are the same as described above in chap. 6.1 and 6.2

Fig. 6.7 Graph 3rd Way

Practical example.
At chapter 5.2.2 there are derived the equations for the velocity and acceleration of
the piston for the crank mechanisms. The timing values of the velocity and acceleration is
created bellow. The final graph is at Fig. 6.8.
Given:
R := 0.4 m

L := 0.8 m

:= 0.5 s

T ..time for one turn

28

Fig. 6.8. Final Graph

6.4.

CREATION THE GRAPH OF THE MORE FUNCTIONS

The way the creation is described bellow for three functions in the three different
plots. The functions have to have different name. The plot can be the same.

Write the functions and their plots

Open icon Graph and fill the placeholders. The different domains are on
the axis X

The functions are on axis Y. The other functions give on the axis Y when
writing comma after the previous function (Fig. 6.9).

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The next steps are the same as described in chapter 6.1 and 6.2.

The result is at Fig. 6.10.

Fig. 6.10 Final Graph

7. GRAPH 3D

The procedure is described bellow.

Write the function

Create the domain

Write the formula for the creation of the matrix of the function value - M i,j

Creating of the graph from the icon Graph. The final graph is at Fig. 7.1.

30

It is possible to read the all members the matrix M.

Fig. 7.1 Final Graph

8. FUCTION ROOT
8.1 FUNCTION ROOT USING FOR SOLUTION OF EQUATIONS
In special occasion, the equations is no possible to solve as mentioned in the chapter 4. It is
for example equation

31

There is no possibility to solve it by symbolic operation. Using Given-Find, one result is

found and value depends on the estimation of the result. There is no information on the
number of the correct values of the result (Fig.8.1.). The result depends on the first estimation
of the uknown x.

Fig. 8.1. Way of the Solution

Solution of the equation

is value x so that the left and right side of the equation has the same value. For the better
understanding look at Fig. 8.2.

32

Fig. 8.2. Number of the Results

The procedure for the solution of the equation using Root is described at Fig. 8.3.

Fig. 8.3. Solution by Using Root.

33

8.2 ROOTS OF POLYNOMIAL SOLUTION

The procedure for the solution of the polynomial root is described bellow on the practical
example.
Given polynomial:
Constants:

The cubic polynomial has three roots. It is possible to check, if the graph of the function for
the polynomial is drawn (Fig. 8.1).

The procedure of the solution by MATHCAD is described bellow:

34

Checking:

9. VECTORS
Vector in 2-D is given by 2 parts, in 3-D is given by 3 parts.
Vector A in 3-D is given

Value of A is:
In 3-D problems, the orientation of the vector is determined by three angles (,,), as shown
in the picture (Fig. 9.1)

Fig. 9.1. Orientation of the Vector

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9.1.

SCALAR PRODUCTS OF 2 VECTORS

2 vectors A and B are given.

Scalar product of the 2 vectors is scalar C.

9.2.

VECTOR PRODUCT OF 2 VECTORS

2 vectors A and B is given. The result of the

vector product is vector D. The mark for the vector
product is given from icon MATRIX ( Fig. 9.2.)

Fig. 9.2. Mark for Vector Product

Practical example:
Find the resultant of force F. F is given by 3 parts Fx,Fy,Fz. Point of acction of force F is in
the point A (coordinates xA, yA and zA look at Fig. 9.3). Determine the moment of the
force F to the beginning of the coordinate systm (point 0).

36

Fig. 9.3. Force in 3-D

Given:
Fx := 30 N
xA := 2 m

Fy := 20 N
yA := 3 m

Fz := 50 N
zA := 4 m

Value of the force F:

Determine of the position vector R

(radius vector R).
Value of R it is length between
points 0-A [m] .

Mo moment of the force F to the point 0. Moment of the force to the point is vector product
radius vector R and force F.

37

10. EULLER NUMERICAL METHOD

The procedure of the solution will be described on the practical example Projectile
motion in an environment that resists.
Given:
Projectile with mass mt motions from the point O (Fig.10.1). Initial velocity is vo initial angle
is the force o . The force acting against motion is Fb and the value of the force is the
function of the constant b - Fb= b*v2.
Find the range of the projectile.
vo := 800 m sec

o := 40 deg

mt := 0.1 kg

b := 5 10

N sec m

g := 9.81 m sec

Fig. 10.1. Description of the Problem

The velocity v is vector and in every positioon of the projectile has two parts (vx and vy).

For angle is dependence:

38

The force Fb acting against the motion depends:

- in axis x

- in axis y

The equilibrium of the motion:

- in axis x

Acceleration a in axis x as the function velocity vx and vy

- in axis y

Procedure for Euler method of the numerical integration

n := 10000

Tc := 75 sec

i := 0 ..

xi := 0 m

i := 1 ..

t :=

yi := 0 m

Tc
n

t = 7.5 10

vx i := 0 m sec

vy i := 0 m sec

ti := i t

n....number of steps
Tc.time of the solution
t..time for one step
vxoinitial velocity in axis x
39

vyoinitial velocity in axis y

The equations are based on the equations for the moition with constant acceleration.
s

so + vo t +

vo + a t

1
2
a t
2

The result is graf (fig. 10.2 Trajectory of the projectile)

Fig. 10.2 Trajectory of the Projectile

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