# Evaluating Expressions
GSA allows geometry and loading to be modified or defined using mathematical expressions. These are mathematical expressions which can define a variation as a function of position (x,y,x)
Normal mathematical notation is used in expressions:
e.g. 1000*sin(x) + y^2
# Arithmetic operations
The arithmetic operators are
+ |  addition | 
- |  subtraction | 
* |  multiplication | 
/ |  division | 
^ |  raise to power of | 
Normal operator precedence is followed. The constants pi (3.14...) and g (9.81...) are defined. Parenthesis can be used to clarify the order of operations.
# Mathematical functions
The following functions can be used:
sqrt(x) |  square root | 
abs(x) |  absolute value | 
exp(x) |  e raised to power of | 
ln(x) |  natural logarithm | 
log(x) |  base 10 logarithm | 
sin(x) |  sine (in radians) | 
cos(x) |  cosine (in radians) | 
tan(x) |  tangent (in radians) | 
asin(x) |  inverse sine (in radians) | 
acos(x) |  inverse cosine (in radians) | 
atan(x) |  inverse tangent (in radians) | 
atan(y,x) |  inverse tangent of (y/x) (in radians) | 
sinh(x) |  hyperbolic sine | 
cosh(x) |  hyperbolic cosine | 
tanh(x) |  hyperbolic tangent | 
asinh(x) |  inverse hyperbolic sine | 
acosh(x) |  inverse hyperbolic cosine | 
atanh(x) |  inverse hyperbolic tangent | 
radians(x) |  conversion of degrees to radians | 
degrees(x) |  conversion of radians to degrees | 
floor(x) |  round a number down to integer value | 
ceil(x) |  round a number up to integer value | 
sign(x) |  return sign of number | 
max(x,y) |  maximum of two numbers | 
min(x,y) |  minimum of two numbers | 
# Conditional expressions
Conditional expressions can be specified in the form:
if( condition, true_expression, false_expression )
The conditional operators are >, <, != (or <>), >=, <=, == (or =) and the logical operators are && (and) and || (or). Conditional expressions can be nested.