Operators are symbols like "+" and "-" that link variables and numbers together to form expressions. The variables and numbers linked together are called operands.
For example, in
ax + y
the operands for the "+" are x and y. The operands for the exponent operator are a and the expression x + y.
Inserting an Operator
Insert arithmetic operators in Mathcad using standard keystrokes, like * and +. Alternatively, all of Mathcad's operators can be inserted from the Math toolbars. Choose Toolbars from the View menu to see all the Math toolbars.
The available Math toolbars are:
Since operators and functions are really the same, in that they both
take arguments (operands) and return results, Mathcad allows you to define your own operators, just
as you can define your own functions.
You can define operators to accept one (unary) or two (binary) operands.
You can give these operators whatever symbol you like.
When you use a Mathcad built-in operator, it's been
precoded to know where to put placeholders for its operands. For custom operators,
you need to use special formatting buttons from the Evaluation
toolbar that allow you to display
and use functions as operators. Also, see notes on typing
special symbols.
Note that some of these operators are overloaded, in that they have
different meaning depending on whether their arguments are scalars, vectors,
or matrices. Different operations are described with individual operators.
These keystrokes produce the operator in a blank space or in an equation,
with one exception, the " key, which produces a new text region in
a blank space or a string variable in a blank placeholder.
Typography Operators
Some operators are keyboard shortcuts for display
only. More placeholders may appear in a math expression,
but they don't imply a calculation.
