Numerical Simulation utilizes a Program Model that enables simulations using an expressive programming language of Maxima which is based on Lisp.

This article will cover a variety of the most common variable types.

Variable Basics

Question

James has 2 apples. Amy has twice as many. How many does Amy have?

jamesApples: 2;

amyApples: jamesApples * 2;

Programme Input =

jamesApples

Candidate Input =

amyApples is CORRECT

Random Variables

random(n)

• Set n as a positive integer. An integer between 0 up to but not including the number will be randomly generated.

rand(n.0)

• Set n as a positive integer and a floating point will be generated between 0.0 and n.0.

rand([n0,n1,n3,n7,n8])

• Set a list of numbers from which one will be randomly selected.

rand_with_step(lower,upper,step)

• Set a number range with lower and upper limits, and the value increase between each number in between. One of these values will be randomly generated.

rand_with_prohib(lower,upper,[n0,n1..])

• Set a number range with lower and upper limits using an integer, and in square brackets list the integers to exclude.

Examples

myVar: random(5);

• Possible results for myVar = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4

myVar: rand(2.0);

• Possible results for myVar = 0.12…, 0.022…, 1.98…, 1.47… etc.

myVar: rand([2,4.5,3,1000]);

• Possible results for myVar = 2, 3, 4.5, 10000

myVar: rand_with_step(-3,3,1);

• Possible results for myVar = -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3

myVar: Rand_with_step(0.5,3,0.5);

• Possible results for myVar = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0

myVar: rand_with_prohib(1,10,[5,6,7]);

• Possible results for myVar = 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10

Rounding

decimalplaces(myVar, n)

• Define your variable or value and n rounds the value to that many decimal places.

Examples

myVar = 1.5237;

roundedVar: decimalplaces(myVar, 2);

Result = 1.52

roundedVar: decimalplaces(1.5237, 3);

Result = 1.53