This document introduces the open-source software FreeMat, which provides basic MATLAB functions for numerical computing and plotting. It covers entering vectors and matrices, performing arithmetic operations and matrix products, using FreeMat to solve linear equations, and plotting basic graphs. FreeMat is an alternative to MATLAB that lacks some toolboxes but works for basic functions. The workshop teaches essential skills like variable names, order of operations, and matrix inversion.

1. Introduction to FreeMat
Dr. Mohammad Tawfik
Mohammad.tawfik@gmail.com
Introduction to FreeMat

2. In this workshop we will cover the
following
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Using FreeMat as a numerical calculator
Entering row vectors and column vectors
Entering matrices
Forming matrix and vector products
Doing matrix products, sums etc
Using FreeMat to solve linear equations
FreeMat functions that operate on arrays
Plotting basic graphs using FreeMat.
Introduction to FreeMat

3. What is MATLAB ?
MATLAB started as an interactive program for
doing matrix calculations and has now grown
to a high level mathematical language that
can solve integrals and differential equations
numerically and plot a wide variety of two and
three dimensional graphs. MATLAB also
contains a programming language.
Introduction to FreeMat

4. What is FreeMat?
• FreeMat is an open source software package
that provides all the basic functions of
MATLAB
• It lacks the sophisticated toolboxes provided
by the MATLAB, but it works perfectly if you
use basic functions!
Introduction to FreeMat

5. How to get started?
Introduction to FreeMat

6. Simple arithmetic with Matlab
Introduction to FreeMat

7. Simple arithmetic with Matlab
Introduction to FreeMat

8. Try These!
Introduction to FreeMat

9. The order of operations
• If you are using brackets, that will save you a
lot of effort!
• However, the operators have precedence!
1.
2.
3.
4.
“( )” brackets
“^” Power
“* /” Multiplication and division
“+ -” Addition and subtraction
Introduction to FreeMat

10. Variable names
• Variable may have names that consist of
characters and digits, but they can not start
with a number!
• Matlab distinguishes between lower and
upper cases - so A and a are different objects
• Only the first 19 characters in a variable name
are important.
Introduction to FreeMat

11. Try this!
• You have just created two vectors, x & y!
• Now try some operations on them! (multiply
by a constant, use sin(x), sqrt(x), exp(x), …
Introduction to FreeMat

12. Try this!
Introduction to FreeMat

13. This is your first plot!
Introduction to FreeMat

14. How about this?
Introduction to FreeMat

15. Now, you know how to create a
plot of your data!
Introduction to FreeMat

16. Matrix Operations
• Try these:
Introduction to FreeMat

17. Another way of creating a vector
• You may try to multiply, add, or invert those
matrices!
Introduction to FreeMat

18. Matrix Inversion
• Matrix inversion is performed using the
function:
inv();
Introduction to FreeMat

19. What variables have you defined
already ?
• Also try the commands: who & whos
Introduction to FreeMat

20. More Matrix Operations
• Try these:
Introduction to FreeMat

21. More Matrix Operations
Introduction to FreeMat

22. Special Matrices!
Introduction to FreeMat

23. Solving Equations!
• Now we may use the tools we have to solve a
system of equations!
• If we have the equations:
5x + 3 y − z = 7
x − 2 y + 9z = 8
x + 2 y + 3z = 6
• Just transform it into matrix form!
Introduction to FreeMat

24. Here is how!
Introduction to FreeMat

25. Or Even Easier!!!
• Actually, if you are solving a large system of
equations, this operator is MUCH faster!
Introduction to FreeMat

26. The last function for today!
• Timing function:
tic … toc
• Tic: starts the timer
• Toc: stops the timer and gives you the time in
seconds!
Introduction to FreeMat

27. More topics!
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Complex numbers
Working with files
More graphics
Programming
Symbolic Operations
Introduction to FreeMat