Initialization

MathMate analyzes the expression entry field and places all the identifiers into the parameter list. Prior to calculations these parameters must be initialized. In the calculator mode all the parameters must be assigned some values. In the other modes one of the parameters may be variable (integration variable, etc.). If none of the parameters is marked as variable and one of them has not been assigned any value, it is considered variable automatically. If there is one parameter already marked as variable and another parameter is being also marked variable, the first one must be assigned some value.

To initialize (assign a value to) a parameter, switch to the corresponding value field and enter the value. In this field you can also anter another expression. This expression may contain only the identifier names already present in the parameter list and assigned some values.

Example:

x = 1.45
y = sin(x)
z = 1 / PI

When the expression is computed, the "symbolic link" between the value of x and the value of y in this example is destroyed and the actual computed value is shown. If you press Enter when in the value field,
the corresponding expression will be computed immediately (based on the current value of x) and shown in that field. If the value cannot be computed because some of the parameters are not initialized, the corresponding error is shown in the result window.

To mark a parameter as variable (when not in the calculator mode), click on the "=" field between the parameter field and the value field. The character "v" appears then in this field. To unmark the parameter, click on this field again. The same is achieved by pressing Alt-V when the corresponding row has input focus.

MathMate stores the names of all identifiers previously initialized within the current session. Thus if one uses an identifier in another expression, it appears in the parameter list with the value it has been assigned before. This value can be changed if necessary.