matlab at the UNIX prompt. A new window will open with
MATLAB up and running. This window is called the Command
Window. It is here that most of the interaction between MATLAB
and the user occurs. You are now ready to use MATLAB to help you
understand ordinary differential equations.
MATLAB provides highly optimized routines for handling numerical
computations, and makes them available in a high level programming
language that is very easy to use. No programming will be required in
Math 211, however. Everything you need to know about MATLAB is
contained in Ordinary Differential Equations using MATLAB,
3e, which is one of the texts for the course. However, as you
get more familiar with this program you will find it useful to use the
MATLAB Help Desk. This is the official MATLAB reference document in WWW
format. It is an excellent and easy to use source of information.
You access the Help desk by entering helpdesk at the
MATLAB prompt.
From time to time, elementary courses on MATLAB are offered by the people in Mudd. If you are having difficulty getting started, this might be a good idea.