Using maths

Create calculations with regular math formulas

CalcTree supports regular math formulas as a calculation option — powered by Math.js, the underlying math engine used in the platform.

You can create and edit Math formulas anywhere inside a page.

Create a math formula

Click somewhere on a page document and follow the following steps to create a formula using regular math expression:

	Type:	What happens next:
1.	Length then =	You've assigned Length as the name for the math variable.
2.	2 + 2 then =	You've defined the math formula as 2 + 2, exited the math editor mode, and received a representation of the math formula and the current value of the variable.

The element you've just created on the page document, acts as an inline source editor for the math node and also as a parametric element that represents the math node and the variable it defines. Learn more about parametric document elements here: Parametric content

Math formula editor

While editing the formula, a drop-down list of recommendations will appear for you to select from. The suggestions include:

• Variable names

• Physical units

• Math functions

For example, by typing w in the formula editor below, an available variable name, two available physical units and an available math function that starts with w are suggested:

Physical units in math formulas

A number and a physical unit comprise a quantity in CalcTree. You can use quantities in math formulas because formulas accept physical units as valid terms. For example, you can multiply 1 kPa and 1 m^2 to get 1 kN:

Note that if you try operations on quantities that are not physically meaningful, you will receive an error. For example adding a length to a time will result in an error, designated by a red background:

This unit-awareness acts as a built-in quality control as it checks the operations are done on compatible quantities. This is especially useful when linking parameters from other sources in Math formulas. Read more here: Using maths

Automatic unit conversion

CalcTree supports automatic unit handling and conversion within formulas. This makes it easy to write calculations involving physical quantities without having to manually convert units each time.

How It Works

If you want to convert a quantity to a specific unit, you can use the to keyword directly in a formula:

= (3 m + 200 cm) to ft

This will convert the result to feet:

= 16.4 ft

You can also use to with variables:

= total_length to mm

Linking math formulas to other nodes

You can link multiple sources to create more complex calculations. That means a source picks up a result from another node and does more calculations on it.

In order to link a Math formula to other calculations, it needs to refer to the value of another node's variables. That is simply achievable by typing the variable name inside the formula. For example, if you have two variables called length, and width which are defined by other nodes, you can refer to them in your formula:

In the above example, the variables length and width could be defined by another node of any type.