In almost no software can an older version read a file from a newer version, although there are notable exceptions (MS Office, for one). However, most software can save from a newer version to an older format, even though sometimes you may lose information by doing so. Mathcad 15 can save as far back as Mathcad 11. Mathcad 11 can save as far back as Mathcad 6. Mathcad Prime cannot save back to Mathcad 15. That's a problem, but given that it was a total rewrite not all that unexpected. However, Mathcad Prime 3.0 cannot save back to Mathcad Prime 2.0, which is ridiculous. The only software that I know of that cannot save to earlier versions are certain CAD packages (Creo and Solidworks both have this "feature"), and Mathcad Prime (written by a CAD company). The only reason for this is to force those with older versions to pay for the upgrade, because otherwise they can't collaborate with those that have the latest version. There's no technical reason it can't be done, it's just a way to hold the customers feet to the fire to extract more money from them.
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