Mathsoft Inc, with UK offices in Sunninghill, Berkshire, a developer of technical calculation software and publisher of electronic books, has launched Mathcad 5.0 and Mathcad Plus 5.0. Mathcad 5.0 performs a wider range of mathematical functions than previous versions. A new graphics function means that data and equations can now be seen graphically with a zoom feature to examine any aspect of a specific graph, while new numeric functions include the ability to find all roots of a polynomial, and two-dimensional linear curve fitting. Larger matrices can be defined than in previous versions. The new spell checker includes a technical directory, and a print preview function shows how a document will appear when printed. It offers an on-line tutorial to teach the principle concepts of the product and a help list of the 26 most common operation problems faced. Comments can now be added to reference books and are shown in red so that any amendment made stands out from the original text. Release 5.0 supports Dynamic Data Exchange and Object Linking & Embedding as both a client and a server so graphics, test and data can be transferred between Mathcad and other Windows applications. Mathcad Plus 5.0 offers a wider range of mathematical functions for those that need to do more advanced technical calculations. The product includes 13 differential equations solvers, 20 matrix algebra functions, two dimensional non-linear curve fitting as well as a C and C++ programming interface for the user to write his or her own functions. Users can add their own code and compile it using a 32-bit C or C++ compiler. Adding to its range of electronic books, the firm has released Mathcad Selections from Numerical Recipes to work with Mathcad Plus, providing interactive access to a selection of functions from the Numerical Recipes mathematical reference book at a cost of UKP200. It needs an 80486 personal computer with maths co-processor, 4Mb hard disk space for installation and 2.5Mb for the for the installed electronic book, with an additional 8Mb RAM recommended. Mathcad 5.0 runs as a 32-bit application under Windows 3.1 and NT, needing at least an 80386 processor running MS-DOS 4.0 or higher with at least 4Mb RAM, 22Mb free disk space including 8Mb disk swap space at a cost of UKP200. Mathcad Plus 5.0 has the same system requirements but only 16Mb free disk space at a price of UKP400. Both products are available now.
