Mathematical Models, Spring 2016
Mathematica
This page is for a past course. Find your current course here.
 

After you have access to Mathematica (myQC link) on campus or at home, this is where to come for Mathematica resources related to mathematical modeling.

Course materials:

A condensed list of handy Mathematica commands.

Tutorial 1: Getting started in Mathematica.

Tutorial 2: Using lists in Mathematica. (Save to computer: 245sp16tut2.nb)

Tutorial 3: Plotting functions and data in Mathematica. (Save to computer: 245sp16tut3.nb)

Tutorial 4: Fitting functions to data in Mathematica. (Save to computer: 245sp16tut4.nb)

Tutorial 5: Matrices and Vectors in Mathematica. (Save to computer: 245sp16tut5.nb)

Tutorial 6: Introduction to Random Numbers. (Save to computer: 245sp16tut6.nb)

Tutorial 7: Introduction to Simulation Models. (Save to computer: 245sp16tut7.nb)

Helpful Mathematica techniques

  • Keep a diary! Write down commands that you have explored, keeping track of syntax, interesting things that you can do, and questions that pop up.
  • Think before you code! Before you start typing, think about what you want the computer to do, and how you would be able to write a logical sequence of commands to do this thing. Write some pseudocode out first.
  • Build in stages! When trying to get Mathematica to do a multi-step command, make sure each nested command works before trying to wrap it in another command. Work from the inside of the onion outward!
  • Copy, modify, repeat! When you have code that is working, don't modify it. Copy it to the next line and then modify it. This forms a page of scratch work.

Useful links from the Mathematica website:

A few introductory videos:

A sampling of their "How to" guides:

A sampling of their Tutorials: