matman

matman, a FORTRAN77 code which allows a user to interactively define and manipulate matrices using integer, real, or rational arithmetic, and to perform various operations in linear algebra or linear programming modes.

The program is intended to do the arithmetic correctly, while forcing a student to specify the correct sequence of operations to transform an arbitrary matrix into row echelon form.

The code was developed by Professor Charles Cullen of the University of Pittsburgh, and John Burkardt, itinerant programmer.

Features include:

• Interactivity: students prescribe each row operation;
• Accuracy: the code does the arithmetic operations;
• Flexibility: rational, real or decimal arithmetic may be used;
• Affordability: the price is right (it's freeware);
• Portability: complete FORTRAN source code available, executes on IBM (DOS or Windows), Mac (68K or PPC), UNIX, VMS.
• Repeatability: A transcript file records all work;
• Improvability: The developers are responsive to user requests.

The code allows the user to:

• Request a sample problem, or type in a new one;
• Choose decimal, integer, rational or real arithmetic;
• Specify row or column operations in a natural form: "R1 <= 3 R1 + R2";
• Determine if the matrix is in row echelon form;

Licensing:

The computer code and data files described and made available on this web page are distributed under the GNU LGPL license.

Languages:

matman is available in a FORTRAN77 version and a FORTRAN90 version.

Related programs:

matman_test

Source Code:

• matman.f, the source code;
• matman.hlp, an online help file.
• matman.sh, commands to compiles the source code;