Recreate efficiently this figure

Question

I am writing a technical document, and I need to explain several steps of a construction which use matrices and linear equations. I was puzzled how I would create my figures and one paper I reference use this :

I have to do 6 or 7 of these, and I would like to know what is the most efficient way of doing it. In each figure the number of components and the value of equation will be different. I already know how to create individually matrices and tables. I want to know how to produce such a figure without too much sweat. I don't use latex a lot, but if you point out packages, references or any material to look at it will be a good start.

Answer 1

You can use TikZ for that, but I’m not sure if this is the most efficient way, since I don’t understand how your images will differ from each other. So you only want to change some numbers in the equations?

\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{tikz}
% load extra stuff
\usetikzlibrary{shapes.misc,matrix,positioning,fit}
% some settings and style definitions
\tikzset{
    boxed eqns/.style={% 
        matrix of math nodes,
        row sep=-0.4pt,
        nodes={
            draw,
            minimum width=1cm,
            minimum height=0.6cm,
        },
    },
    values/.style={
        matrix of math nodes,
        left delimiter=[,
        right delimiter=],
    },
    equation/.style={
        execute at begin node={$\displaystyle},
        execute at end node={$},
    },
    blue box around/.style={
        draw,
        ultra thick,
        blue,
        fit=#1,
        inner sep=0pt,
    },
    cancel/.style={
        cross out,
        draw,
        red,
        ultra thick,
        fit=#1,
        inner xsep=10pt,
        inner ysep=1pt,
    },
}

\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
    \matrix (Variables) [boxed eqns] {a_1\\a_2\\a_3\\};
    \matrix (Values) [values,right=of Variables] {1\\2\\3\\};
    \node (Eqn) [equation,right=of Values] {a_1+a_2+a_3};
    \foreach \l in {1,2,3}
        \draw [->] (Variables-\l-1) -- (Eqn);
\end{tikzpicture}

\begin{tikzpicture}
    \matrix (Variables) [boxed eqns] {a_1\\a_2\\a_3\\};
    \matrix (Values) [values,right=of Variables] {1\\2\\3\\};
    \node [blue box around=(Variables-2-1)] {};
    \node [cancel=(Values)] {};
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}

How to get the upper picture?

1. Create the styles for different parts of your images.

   • I used matrixes, that switch to math mode for their content
   • I let the matrices draw the frames and delimiters

2. Set up the {tikzpicture} environment.

3. Draw the first matrix with the boxed variables.

   • Us the boxed eqns style.
   • Give a name to it in braces, e.g. (Variables).
   • Use \\ after each variable, even the last one.

4. Draw the second matrix with the values.

   • Us the values style.
   • Give a name to it in braces, e.g. (Values).
   • Use \\ after each value, even the last one.
   • Postion it right of the first on with right=of Variables.

5. Draw the node containing the equantion.

   • Us the equation style.
   • Give a name to it in braces, e.g. (Eqn).
   • Postion it right of the first on with right=of Values.

6. Draw the arrows

   • Use \foreach to repeat the things for every item of the list {1,2,3}, and save the current item in \l.
   • Set up the \draw command with -> to get an arrow tip at the end.
   • Begin the path at (Variables-\l-1), which is one of the first matrix’ cell.
   • End the path at (Eqn). The best end position is calculated automatically.

How to get the lower picture?

1. Draw the matrices as above.

2. Use blue box around=(<node name>) to frame a node or part of a matrix*.

3. Use cancel=(<node name>) to put a cross over a node or part of a matrix*.

_{* The part of a matrix is a node …}

How to draw an equation system?

Add this definition to \tikzsset

eqn system/.style={
    matrix of math nodes,
    nodes in empty cells,
    row sep=0.1cm,
    column sep=0.5cm,
    draw,
    nodes={
        anchor=base east,
    },
},

and use it like this:

\begin{tikzpicture}
    \matrix (ES) [eqn system] {
        a_1   & + 2a_2 &        & + 4a_4 \\
        10b_1 &        &        & -3b_a  \\
              & -  c_2 & + 3c_3 &        \\
    };
    \node [blue box around=(ES-1-1) (ES-1-4)] {};
\end{tikzpicture}

But this needs some improvements as you can see in the image …

Update

You could automat the things with a new macro

% \autodraw{<Varaibles>}{<Number of Variables>}{<Values>}{<Eqn>}
\newcommand{\autodraw}[4]{%
    \begin{tikzpicture}
        \matrix (Variables) [boxed eqns] {#1};
        \matrix (Values) [values,right=of Variables] {#3};
        \node (Eqn) [equation,right=of Values] {#4};
        \foreach \l in {1,...,#2}
            \draw [->] (Variables-\l-1) -- (Eqn);
    \end{tikzpicture}
}

example

\autodraw{b_1\\b_2\\b_2\\}{3}{7\\2\\5\\}{2b_1+b_2-3b_3}