This
Microworld is a workbench that you may use to create matrices and perform
a variety of operations on them. It extends Jim White's rational matrix
calculator with a number of new operations that are well suited for laboratory
and classroom work and for independent study and experimentation. 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.
You
may edit the new zero-initialized matrix
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 "Save last displayed matrix as ..."
button displayed above.
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 or numeric calculations. There
is an 8x8 matrix called M (the inverse is pictured above) to experiment with.
But the randmat(a,b) program creates a random axb matrix for you. In
a similar way the idmat(c) program creates a cxc identity matrix.
Try the command: pr m*inv(m); to see the advantage of rational matrix arithmetic.
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the Java MathwrightWeb ActiveX Control to read in your Browser.
For
proper viewing, be sure to use Version 2.006 or later,
dated July, 25, 2002
Download free MathwrightWeb
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For proper viewing, be sure to use Version 2.006 or later, dated July, 25, 2002
Microworld:
Matrix
Workbench
Click the Hyperlink above
to visit the Microworld.
Author:
Dan
Kalman
There
is a menu of commands and functions at the top of the screen that you may
learn about within the Microworld. We describe those in the Interaction Instructions
below the Portal. The difference between a command and a function is that
a function returns a value that may be used as argument to another function
or command.
Once
you download our free Mathwright32 Reader above, then simply click
Get This Microworld, and it will be downloaded to your machine and
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it, by going to the Start, Programs, Mathwright32 Reader menu.
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| - James E. White, Ph.D. , Library Director, | ||
| author of this website, Mathwright 2000, MindScapes, | ||
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