Mathcad shortcuts typically used in engineering calculations

IMPORTANT:
1. Automatic calculation: top-down and left-right.
2. Write-in comments next to equations. Provide good descriptions.
3. Use the help F1
4. Seek clarity!

ITEM

PRESS

TEXT MODE
Greek letters
MATH MODE
Indicator (little black square)
Variables
Any name can be used (ex. a, b, c, diameter, DC)
For subscripts, (ex. P1, Hdr)
multiplication
division
power (ex. P2)
addition
root
mathematical subscript (called index)
Units
Assigning a unit (ex. size = 3 meters)
Angles
Conversions (for observing)
Create your own unit (ex. kPa)
Equations
Use equal signs below to write equations
Use the spacebar to create equations correctly

letter Ctrl g

COMMENTS
Cursor turns red
Do not start with a (
Often used as variable names (ex. for stress)
Cursor must be blue
Inherent to math mode

P.1

H.dr
*
/
^
+
\
[

Avoid using units for variable names (ex. cm, Pa)

DO NOT use P [ 1

Like MS Excel

Not the same as . (which is a text subscript)

Mathcad has built-in units

size : 3 * m
Mathcad uses radians by default
size =

Mathcad will yield size = 3 m

If you type in in
the indicator, Mathcad will yield size = 118.11 in

kPa : 1000 * Pa
!!! Start again if the cursor turns red (text mode)
What does this mean? try it
If using indices, you must have the same indices in
BOTH sides of the equation.

Indeces
Equal signs
Assign a value or an expression to a variable

Evaluate to find the value of a variable

Solve operations with Mathcad

Ctrl

Solve for a variable with Symbolics tab

PLOTTING
Creating Arrays
1. Create Indices (i goes from 0 to 100)
2. Create your variable

Manipulating Plots
Create 2-dimensional plot
Write in relevant variable names in the x- and yindicators (little black squares)
Scales
Data

i : 0 ; 100
x [ i : i * 0.1

Typing c : b - 2
tells Mathcad that c is equal to b - 2
Typing c =
asks Mathcad for the value of c
Typing c Ctrl = b - 2
prepares Mathcad for a symbolic operation.
Select a variable from an equation involving the
Solve equal sign, and then go to the Symbolics tab

Any letter can be used, but try sticking to i

The bracket creates a subscript, such that x varies
according to i.

Similar (but not equal) to Excel

Shift

Click once on figure

Click twice on figure

Do not forget the index subscripts!

You must use the same index for x- and y- axes
Change scale extreme values IN figure
Play with tabs (self-explanatory)

If a variable turns red, there is a problem (most common = variable not defined above, subscript missing,
singularity or division by zero, dimensional heterogeneity).

BE NEAT.

Write comments next to your work!

Julio Valdes SDSU, 2003