Complex Numbers & Microsoft Maths.

[electrolytic_coffee]

Wow, this ETO section is a little dusty.....

*gets out duster...*

Right has anyone used Microsoft Maths for working out complex numbers? What im trying to do is figure out just how to change from polar to rectangular form and for some reason I cant get it to work.

I cant figure out the right syntax to go in there ive tried:

(Converting polar to rec)
toRect(3, (20i)) and it gives me 60i (which is simply the product) or it gives me a wierd exponential where its to the power pi over something... where as on my trusty casio I get for the same numbers X= 2.81 Y= 1.02

For going the other way its the same story, with another caveat it only coverts the angle in radians which isnt really a problem but i cant get a sensible answer at the moment. This is just a test run to use the complex number part so i can use it to check my workings in my assignments but so far....EPIC FAIL.

I'd appreciate any advice from anyone who has experience with the Maths pacakge from microsoft.

(BTW as i said those numbers are a test run, not in any way related to my actual work I just wanted some extra assurance when i check my work!).

[chris]

3 + j20 converting to polar

input topolar(3+20i)

output 20.22 e^1.42

not a very nice output format, its called the exponential form of polar http://www.usna.edu/MathDept/CDP/Com...xponential.htm

I can't see a way to display the answer in normal polar form r ang theta

Argos is selling a very useful engineering calculator that can handle complex numbers, matrices and simultaneous equations for only ?15

going the other way toRect(3e^((-pi/3)*i)) but you need to enter the polar in the nasty exponential form

[Clanky]

Gentlemen, looking at the above, I would suggest that it would simply be easier to do it by bloody hand?

[electrolytic_coffee]

Gentlemen, looking at the above, I would suggest that it would simply be easier to do it by bloody hand?

Easy answer, yes. However we have been told it needs to be produced in a very official format. My handwriting looks at the best of time like someone has savagely assaulted a spider on my page so im writing it all up on the computer. The real problematic part stems from just wanting to check answers to questions.....and seeing as how we have more of this again after we return from sea its was just simply an exercise in getting used to the tools available.

[Clanky]

Fair enough for checking, but the draw tools in word would let you show what you need to show graphically and show that you have actually worked it out rather than just entered the data into a maths program.

Don't forget that complex number theory will be absolutely essential the next time you find yourself designing an alternator onboard.

[electrolytic_coffee]

Yeah I agree with the draw functions in word. Im a little dissapointed that as a product of Microsoft it doesnt have much in the way of cross-compatability between product sets, and the fact that the complex stuff is so much harder to use. This was for circuit analysis stuff (ie mesh, thevenin, norton theorum etc..) we do a separate module on mathematical modelling of systems etc where a graphing function which would be precise to data you input would be great.....oh well practive makes perfect i think! But yep untill i can figure out an alternative ill stick with trusty word & excel!

[chris]

buy the calculator, just do it