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bbond13-Aquamarine
13-Aquamarine
February 23, 2017
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Need to select the maximum of two column matrices and return as a column matrix.

Hello,

I run into the situation frequently where I need to select the lesser of greater of two equations.  Suppose I have equation A and equation B.  I've input say 6 values for A and B in a single column matrix and evaluated each.  I would like to define variable C as the maximum of A or B output for each row.  I attached a worksheet that demonstrates my problem.

LucMeekesAnswer
23-Emerald V
February 23, 2017

Generally you would use the vectorize operator (see operators item in the tab, then under Vector and Matrix) for this job, but unfortunately, because max() and min() functions accept more than 2 arguments vectorization does not work for them.

So you have to write a small program:

Success!
Luc

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3 replies

LucMeekes23-Emerald VAnswer
23-Emerald V
February 23, 2017

Generally you would use the vectorize operator (see operators item in the tab, then under Vector and Matrix) for this job, but unfortunately, because max() and min() functions accept more than 2 arguments vectorization does not work for them.

So you have to write a small program:

Success!
Luc

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bbond13-AquamarineAuthor
13-Aquamarine
February 23, 2017

Thnaks Luc.  That looks like that will accomplish my goal.  I'm not familiar with Mathcad programming so I'll have to study up on that.  At first pass I can't get the program lined up as yours is so it isn't evaluating.

Also, after m original post I found a related thread which someone helped solve using the vectorize operator and I have made that one work. 

Comparing data from two arrays

Is there a benefit of one method over the other?

Thanks again for the help.

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LucMeekes23-Emerald V
23-Emerald V
February 23, 2017

Ah, yeah, completely forgot about this trick. Essentially what Werner shows is how to obtain a max function limited to 2 arguments, such that vectorization can work.

Yes Brandon, there is an advantage: Vectorization is usually faster.

Success!
Luc

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