Working with Formulas

Solving a transient problem, you might need to specify a boundary condition or a field source as a function of time. QuickField introduces formulas allowing to enter formula-defined field values instead of constant numerical values. The fields accepting formula-defined values are listed above in this chapter.

The button adjacent to a field and the field's tooltip indicate that you can define the field value with a formula.

Formula is a mathematical expression constructed of numbers, arithmetical operators, parentheses, built-in constants and functions and predefined variables. Formula syntax is typical for most algorithmic languages and standard mathematical notation.

When you specify a formula-defined value QuickField checks the formula syntax and reports syntax errors to you. If the syntax is correct, the calculator tries to calculate the result using the required values of predefined variables. This calculation might also result in error if, for example, the value of a function argument does not belong to the function's domain of definition. As with syntax errors, QuickField also reports such errors to you.