Solving Common Mathematical Problems

NASA Tech Briefs, Jan 2005 by Luz, Paul L

Mathematical Solutions Toolset is a collection of five software programs that rapidly solve some common mathematical problems. The programs consist of a set of Microsoft Excel worksheets. The programs provide for entry of input data and display of output data in a user-friendly, menu-driven format, and for automatic execution once the input data has been entered. The programs perform the following calculations:

1. "Definite Integral Evaluator 1.0" calculates the definite integral of a userspecified function y = f(x) between user-specified limits for the lower and upper bands. The program will also plot the function.

2. Solve for X in the matrix equation AX =B, where A is a 2 x 2, 3 x 3, or 6 x 6 matrix of constant coefficients, X is the matrix of unknown independent values, and β is the matrix of dependant values.

3. "Cubic Equation Solver" calculates the real and imaginary roots, x, of the cubic equation x^sup 3^ ax^sup 2^ bx c = 0.

4. Given a pair of vectors specified in terms of their Cartesian components, the Vector Calculator program calculates their scalar product, their vector product, the unit vectors, and the angle between the vectors.

5. "Unit Conversions" will convert between the English and metric values of the most commonly used units for length, volume, velocity, mass, density, force, pressure, energy, power, temperature, and thermal energy.

This program was written by Paul L. Luz of Marshall Space Flight Center. For further information, contact Sammy Nabors, MSFC Commercialization Assistance Lead, at sammy.a.nabors@nasa.gov. Refer to MFS-31794.