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PMATH(1)              User Contributed Perl Documentation             PMATH(1)


NAME

       pmath - simple command line interface to Math::Cephes


SYNOPSIS

         bash> pmath

        Interactive interface to the Math::Cephes module.
        TermReadLine enabled. Type 'help' or '?'  for help.

        pmath> setprec 4
                display set to 4 decimal places
        pmath> cos($PI)
                -1.0000
        pmath> acos(%)
                 3.1416
        pmath> q
        bash>


DESCRIPTION

       This script provides a simple command line interface to the
       "Math::Cephes" module. If available, it will use the "Term::ReadKey"
       and "Term::ReadLine::Perl" or "Term::ReadLine::GNU" modules to provide
       command line history and word completion.

       Typing "help" or "?" alone will provide a list of help topics grouped
       by major category name. "help category" will provide a listing and
       short description of each function within the named category. "help
       function" will provide a description and synopsis of the named
       function.

       Entering an expression that returns a single value, such as "sin($x)",
       or one that returns multiple values, such as "airy($x)", will result in
       all return values being printed.  The last (successful) single value
       returned is saved as the "%" symbol (as in Maple), so that one can do

            pmath> sin($PI/2)
                   1
            pmath> asin(%)
                   1.570796
            pmath>

       The number of decimal places displayed can be set to "j" using "setprec
       j":

            pmath> setprec 8
                    display set to 8 decimal places
            pmath> $PI
                    3.14159265
            pmath>

       Multiple statements can be entered on a line, such as
            pmath> $x=1; $y=exp($x); printf("\texp(%5.2f)=%5.2f\n",$x,$y);
                    exp( 1.00)= 2.72
            pmath>

       or on multiple lines using "\" as a continuation signal:

           pmath> $x = 1; \
                  $y = exp($x); \
                   printf("exp(%5.2f)=%5.2f\n", $x, $y);
                    exp( 1.00)= 2.72
           pmath>

       To quit the program, enter "q", "quit", or "exit".

       The "Math::Cephes" module has some support for handling fractions and
       complex numbers through the "Math::Cephes::Fraction" and
       "Math::Cephes::Complex" modules. For fractions, one can use the
       "fract()" function to create a fraction object, and then use these in a
       fraction routine:

           pmath> $f=fract(1,3); $g=fract(4,3); $f->radd($g);
                   5/3
           pmath> mixed(%)
                   1 2/3
           pmath>

       Similarly, for complex numbers one can use the "cmplx()" function to
       create a complex number object, and then use these in a complex number
       routine:

           pmath> $f=cmplx(1,3); $g=cmplx(4,3); $f->cadd($g);
                   5+6 i
           pmath>

       See Math::Cephes::Polynomial for an interface to some polynomial
       routines, and Math::Cephes::Matrix for some matrix routines.


BUGS

       Probably. Please report any to Randy Kobes
       <randy@theoryx5.uwinnipeg.ca>


SEE ALSO

       Math::Cephes, Math::Cephes::Fraction, Math::Cephes::Complex,
       Math::Cephes::Polynomial and Math::Cephes::Matrix.


COPYRIGHT

       This script is copyrighted, 2000, 2002, by Randy Kobes. It may be
       distributed under the same terms as Perl itself.

perl v5.20.2                      2012-10-23                          PMATH(1)

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