A vCalc Equation is a single function calculation tool that lets a user enter values and then computes an answer. Equations can be one-line formulas or complex algorithm calling other equations and using data items and data from tables in the vCalc library. Equations each receive a unique location on the Internet (URL) and are given a dedicated web page (wiki) where the author can provide user instructions, pictures and diagrams, links to related items and provide other helpful information regarding the equation. These vCalc equation web pages are in essence single-purpose online calculator pages.
What is an Equation?
For most people, equations and formulas give you an answer to a math related question:
Equations are used to compute an answer based on what’s known. Sometimes the answers are estimates and sometimes they are precise.
Building Equations in vCalc
The following articles are meant to help you build your own equations in vCalc. But first some ground rules:
- All vCalc content, including equations, must comply with vCalc’s Terms of Use.
- All vCalc content created by you is private and only viewable by you or a vCalc system administrator unless you choose to share it with other vCalc colleagues or with the general public. When private, you must be logged into the system to see it.
vCalc is designed to help people through crowd-sourcing and general collaboration. With your help, powerful tools can be made for the public. With this in mind, we encourage you to do the following:
- Make equations that are useful to you, but share them whenever possible.
- Feel free to copy the work of others and customize it to your needs.
- Consider publishing your work (documenting it) in as many languages as you speak using our multi-language support function. It’s a small world on the Internet and you’ll be helping people who otherwise may never get help.
When you can create an equation in vCalc, your creation will automatically inherit numerous powerful attributes:
- Equations you create in vCalc will be stored on the cloud and available to you any time you’re on the web.
- Equations you create are instantly deployed in a single-purpose calculator with a wiki page and with an automatically generated user interface for the calculating function inputs.
- Your automatically created wiki page is a great place to document your equation with descriptions, graphics, user instructions and links to related items.
- You can share your equations with your social network (e.g. Facebook and Twitter) with the click of a button.
- You can embed your calculator in another website using the Embed Code provided in the Share function.
- You can duplicate an equation built by others as a good starting point for your equation page.
- You can employee vCalc’s unit handling (e.g. feet, kilograms, volts) in your equations and see how one equation is now useful in hundreds of different situations when vCalc automatically translates input and output parameters to and from different units.
- You can bundle your equations with other equations and data items in your own custom collections.
Last thing, vCalc is here to help! If you have questions or need assistance, click on “Contact Us” link and let us know how we can help.
Equation Help Topics
The equation help topics include the following: