Visual Studio 2013 Lesson 11: Performing Mathematical Operations

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Computer can perform mathematical calculations much faster than human beings do. However, computer itself will not be able to perform any mathematical calculations without receiving instructions from the user. In Visual Studio 2013 , we can write code to instruct the computer to perform mathematical calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and other kinds of mathematical operations. In order for Visual Studio 2013 to carry out arithmetic calculations, we need to write code that involve the use of various mathematical operators. The Visual Studio 2013 mathematical operators are very similar to the normal arithmetic operators, only with slight variations. The plus and minus operators are the same while the multiplication operator use the * symbol and the division operator use the / symbol. The list of Visual Basic 2013 mathematical operators are shown in table 11.1 below:

Table 11.1: Mathematical Operators

Operator Mathematical Function Example
+ Addition  1+2=3
–  Subtraction  10-4=6
^  Exponential  3^2=9
*  Multiplication  5*6=30
/  Division  21/7=3
Mod  Modulus(returns the remainder of an integer division)  15 Mod 4=3
\  Integer Division(discards the decimal places)  19/4=4

Example 11.1

In this program, you need to insert two text boxes, four labels and one button. Click the button and enter the code as shown below. When you run the program, it will perform the four basic arithmetic operations and displays the results on the four labels.

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click

Dim num1, num2, difference, product, quotient As Single
num1 = TextBox1.Text
num2 = TextBox2.Text
sum=num1+num2
difference=num1-num2
product = num1 * num2
quotient=num1/num2
Label1.Text=sum
Label2.Text=difference
Label3.Text = product
Label4.Text = quotient

End Sub


Example 11.2

This Visual Studio 2013  program can use Pythagoras Theorem to calculate the length of hypotenuse c given the length of the adjacent side a and the opposite side b. In case you have forgotten the formula for the Pythagoras Theorem, it is written as
c^2=a^2+b^2
Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles Button1.Click

Dim a, b, c As Single
a = TextBox1.Text
b = TextBox2.Text
c=(a^2+b^2)^(1/2)
Label3.Text=c

End Sub

Example 11.3: BMI Calculator

A lot of people are obese now and it could affect their health seriously . Obesity has proven by the medical experts to be a one of the main factors that brings many adverse medical problems, including the the cardiovascular disease. If your BMI is more than 30, you are considered obese. You can refer to the following range of BMI values for your weight status.

Underweight = <18.5
Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
Overweight = 25-29.9
Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

In order to calculate your BMI, you do not have to consult your doctor, you can just use a calculator or a home made computer program, this is exactly what I am showing you here. The BMI calculator is a Visual Basic program that can calculate the body mass index, or BMI of a person based on the body weight in kilogram and the body height in meter. BMI can be calculated using the formula weight/( height )^2, where weight is measured in kg and height in meter. If you only know your weight and height in lb and feet, then you need to convert them to the metric system .

Private Sub Button1_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArsgs) Handles Button1.Click

Dim height, weight, bmi As Single
height = TextBox1.Text
weight = TextBox2.Text
bmi = (weight) / (height ^ 2)
Label4.Text = bmi

End Sub

The output is shown in the Figure 11.1 below. In this example, your height is 1.80m( about 5 foot 11),your weight is 75 kg( about 168Ib), and your BMI is about 23.14815. The reading suggests that you are healthy. (Note; 1 foot=0.3048, 1 lb=.45359237 kilogram)

 

From the above examples, you can see that writing Visual Studio 2013 code that involve arithmetic operations is relatively easy. Here are more arithmetic projects you work on:

Area of a triangle
Area of a rectangle
Area of a circle
Volume of a cylinder
Volume of a cone
Volume of a sphere
Compound interest
Future value
Mean
Variance
Sum of angles in polygons
Conversion of lb to kg
Conversion of Fahrenheit to Celsius

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