Matrix Calculator is an educational software for home schoolers, algebra students, science and engineering students, or anyone who needs to perform matrix/linear algebra calculations.

In many engineering applications a math model is needed to represent a physical network. A few examples are survey networks, water suppy systems, electrical networks and circuits, traffic flow in cities, mine ventilation, and structural trusses. Equations are derived for physical conditions that must be true at the nodes or between nodes of the network. These equations are called condition equations. These types of problems are ideally suited for solution using matrix algebra. The technique is so powerful mathematically that a network approach is applied to other physical problems that are not networks. For example, techniques called finite element and finite difference are used to subdivide a physical structure or mass geometrically into a 2D or 3D network. This approach is used in the analysis of domes for buildings, for ground water modeling, and many other applications.

Matrix algebra with a computer is such a convenient tool to solve simultaneous equations that nonlinear equations are linearized using the Taylor series expansion from calculus. The nonlinear terms of the series are dropped, and an iterative approach is used to converge on the solution. This requires an initial estimate of the solution, with successive computations converging on the solution until a sufficient precision has been met. For each iteration the solution for the computed variables is substituted into the nonlinear equations to compute the residual. If the required precision is not met, a refined estimate of the variables is made, and another iteration is performed. This is normally done automatically by the software application. Again, calculus is used to derive the math model consisting of a set of linear equations expressed as matrices, and matrix algebra is used to compute the solution.