Microworld:
Rational
Matrix Calculator: (All in One)
Click the Hyperlink above
to visit the Microworld.
Author:
James
White
Based
on an idea of Dan Kalman
This
Microworld is a rational matrix calculator. You may create any matrix
objects you like, and then perform command-line calculations on those objects.
Define a matrix object by first specifying the dimensions.
Next,
give the matrix a name and create the zero-initialized matrix by typing the
name in the new matrix field and pressing Enter.
You
may edit the new matrix by typing
the name in the edit matrix field and pressing Enter.
The
matrix appears in the MathEdit Object on the right. Edit the matrix by placing
the caret at the point of insertion and typing the new entry. Enter a fraction
as a / b. Enter a decimal number by using a decimal point (i.e. 1.14159 ).
The matrices will represent their entries as rational numbers by default,
but you may force decimal entries with the decimal point. This means that,
unless you enter decimals, all calculations will be exact.
You
may also copy and paste rows, columns, and blocks from one matrix to another.
The last matrix on the right is the "edited matrix." Once you are
satisfied with the changes, you may store those changes in the matrix named
in the edit
matrix field by pressing the
button.
Finally,
use the command line at the bottom to calculate matrix and numeric expressions
with the matrix objects you create. Just type the command followed by a semicolon
and press enter to see the result. The pr command shows the results
of matrix calculations, and the calc command shows the results of numeric
calculations. There is an 8x8 matrix called M (pictured above) to experiment
with. Try the command: pr m*inv(m); to see the advantage of rational
matrix arithmetic.
Return to the listing of MathwrightWeb Microworlds
| - James E. White, Ph.D. , Library Director, | ||
| author of this website, Mathwright 2000, MindScapes, | ||
| MathwrightWeb, and Mathwright32 |
