4/23/2012 Essentials Variables 1
Variable types and simple operations
To make the calculator or other toolbars appear, use the View|Toolbars menu.
π 3.142 Type = after a variable name to display a value.
may be selected from the Greek toolbar or type p, then control g.
x 3 Defines x as 3. Type a colon to get :=.
Note that "define" and "display" are different operations with different operators.
Typing = for an undefined variable will generate := instead.
Use Format|Result from the Format toolbar to change the
π 3.141592653589793
number of decimal places displayed. The maximum is 15.
4 x 12 Type * to multiply. This operator is displayed as a dot.
x
30 Type / to divide. This operator creates built-up fraction.
0.1
x 3 3i Defines x as a complex number. No character is typed between 3 and i.
2 Type ^ to enter an exponent or use the calculator toolbar.
x 18i
Here a complex number is displayed.
j 0 1 4 Defines j as a counting index from 0 to 4. Type a semicolon to obtain the ..
j 0 4 If the increment is 1, it may be omitted.
j
x 2 Defines an indexed variable xj in terms of the index.
j
1
A subscripted variable is displayed as a matrix.
2 The display option used here is "matrix" or "automatic."
x4
To change the display option, click on the variable and
8 then Format|Result|Display Options.
16
0
0 1 A subscripted variable is displayed as a table. The display option is "table."
1 2 For long tables, a scroll bar appears.
x
2 4 Try it: Change j above to j :=0 (semicolon) 20.
Only elements 0 to 15 of the array will be displayed.
3 8
Click the table to scroll down.
4 16
Defines the subscripted variable y for each value of x.
j
2
y x If a subscript appears on the right side of an equation, the subscript must
j
also appear on the left side of the equation.
y will be defined for every value of j.
4/23/2012 Essentials Variables 2
31
me 9.11 10 To enter a subscript in a variable name, type a comma.
Numbers smaller in magntiude than 10-15 are displayed as zero by default.
me 0
Note that Format|Result|Tolerance may be used to globally define the
threshold at which zero is shown. To make this change, first highlight an
log me 30.04
equation containing :=. To check if a value is identically zero, display the log.
2
e 7.389 To highlight a region, right-click and select properties.
2
e 2 e 4 It is not recommended to redefine the variables e or .
Moving or disabling equations:
Text or equations can be selected by using the mouse to surround the item with a box. The
selected item will appear within a dotted box and can be moved using the mouse.
Several items may be moved at once using this method.
log( 0 ) An equation that is not being used or that is creating errors can be turned off
by right-clicking and selecting "disable evaluation."
Simple graphs
300
To make a line graph, click on the line
200 graph in the graph toolbar and fill in the
yj placeholders.
100 Double click on the graph to change the
display options.
0
0 5 10 15 20
xj
6
It is not necessary to type the subscripts
4 if both variables are subscripted.
Note that functions of variables may be used
ln( y)
in the placeholders as well as simple
2
variables. y was defined above as x2 .
0
0 1 2 3
ln( x)
