One approach to problem solving, which you no doubt have taken, is to extract the numbers from a word problem and “plug” them into a calculator. Although this method is a very limited approach to problems, we will introduce you to the basics of PTC Mathcad in the context of examples that assume this simplistic approach.
In this chapter, you will learn to do simple calculations, write text, and organize your work into a coherent solution. One of the nicest features of PTC Mathcad is that it allows you to fix mistakes quickly, and then it automatically recalculates your answers.
These basic skills hardly begin to exploit the full power of PTC Mathcad as a tool for solving problems, but they are essential for producing a well organized solution. As you go along, you will find that PTC Mathcad can do far more than just arithmetic; however, let's begin by solving a problem as you would with a calculator.
