Spreadsheet solution of hyperbolic partial differential equations [for EM field calculations]

This paper describes the use of spreadsheet programs for the numerical solution of hyperbolic partial differential equations. A complete 123 macro program is presented and applied to obtain the approximate solution of a model problem in electrical engineering. Through user “macros,” spreadsheets can now function in the same way as programs written in conventional programming languages. They provide a clear and direct means of entering data and formulas. This important feature will allow the students to easly experiment with their model problems.