This is Version 2.0 of MathCAD on two 800k disk images.
First and foremost, MathCAD is an equation solver (and isn’t a CAD package). This means that you simply define variables and enter them into an equation, and MathCAD calculates the solution. Change the values of the variables, and you get the revised solution. You say you need to solve for unknown variables? No problem, MathCAD can handle it. In fact, MathCAD easily handles derivatives, integrals, complex numbers, matrices, iterative calculations, and much more. MathCAD also provides a wide range of built-in functions—from statistics to Fourier transforms. Special Until and If functions even permit conditional-type decision-making.
MATH APPEAL MathCAD is also a capable charting program. When you’re finished with your calculations, MathCAD can plot the results for you — with two- or three-dimensional graphs. MathCAD also creates tables and can even import data that's been saved in ASCII from other applications, which can be handy when you’re working with large data sets. Whatever your equation-solving demands, MathCAD is likely to meet them. If it can't, then you probably want a more symbolic-oriented program such as Mathematica.
Still, what you will probably notice First about MalhCAD is not its math capabilities but its smooth, interactive “live-document” approach. Unlike similar programs, such as Eureka: The Solver or TK Solver Plus, MathCAD does not require separate input files and output windows or separately constructed printed reports.
Everything is handled within a single interactive document. Variables are defined (either locally or globally) as soon as you type them. Equations are solved as soon as you press the equal key, and changes anywhere in the document update all affected expressions. Error messages are easy to understand because they always appear next to the offending statement. And the screen display is WYSIWYG, with all elements of your equations appropriately sized and located.
Generating a report is as simple as printing your finished document, because MathCAD doubles as a specialized page-layout program. Text can be separately entered and formatted, much as in a word processor. Graphs can be resized. All elements (equations, text, and graphs) can be independently moved around within the document. Thus, although you can use MathCAD simply as a quick-and-dirty equation solver, you can also use it to produce a finished manuscript. The manual is clearly written, given the complexity of the program. This is a definite plus, as you will probably need to refer to the manual regularly. On-line help is available, but it is not adequate until you’ve become familiar with MathCAD. Unlimited toll-free technical support is also provided.
MATH ANXIETY Despite all this praise, MathCAD does have some notable drawbacks. One of these is that users accustomed to the Mac interface may find that the entering and editing of equations is far from a routine matter (maybe this is a carryover from the program’s MS-DOS ancestry). For example, if you want to type the series of dots that define a range variable (1 ... 10), you must type a semicolon rather than the dots themselves. MathCAD does offer an alternative (an operator palette from which you cun make a selection by clicking), but the basic awkwardness remains. Similarly, correct formatting often requires using paretheses, even though they don't appear on-screen. Procedures to delete or select parts of equations are frustrating and do not follow Mac conventions.
At times, MathCAD does not properly update the screen’s appearance. The manual acknowledges this problem and instructs you to select the Redraw command when it happens. This is a flaw in the program's design, and users should not have to provide the solution. Furthermore, MathCAD almost demands a math coprocessor to achieve reasonable speed. Recalculations can make just scrolling through a document almost impossible.
THE BOTTOM LINE MathCAD’s primary appeal will be to professional mathemticians and engineers, Its WYSIWYG equation formatting, text handling, statistical functions, financial functions, and graphics capabilities are limited compared with those offered by programs specializing in these separate tasks. Still, if equation solving is your focus, it will be convenient to have at least adequate capabilities in all these areas combined into one program. With its easy-to-use interactive documents, MathCAD joins the front of the pack of math software.
Landau, Ted. (April 1990). MathCAD. MacUser. (pg. 68).
MathSoft, Inc.
Applications
out of 10 (0 vote)
123 / 
2022-04-17 / 
94f6e8bf2a2f5464713d57afb7a9314ac06e1939 / 
/ 
Mathcad2.zip
Emulating this? It could probably run under: 
Mini vMac
