## How to type math clearly

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### How to type math clearly

A common problem with typing math is that single-line type doesn't always mean the same thing as the nice formatting in your textbook. For instance, "1/3x" could mean either of the following:

. . . . .$\frac{1}{3x}$

. . . . .$\frac{1}{3}\,x$

If you would like to learn how to format using the LaTeX plug-in, as shown above, there are any number of good articles on the topic. This forum uses the "mimetex" package, which provides its own tutorial.

A quicker way to start, however, might be to learn the generally-accepted rules of web-safe math formatting. Note that the largest cause of confusion is the omission of grouping symbols. For instance, the two displays above can be typed very simply, respectively, as:

. . . . .1/(3x)

. . . . .(1/3)x

If you are working with something such as complex fractions, synthetic division, or matrices, where its nearly impossible to avoid the multi-line formatting, use "Code" tags (there's a button above the message-entry box) to "force" the characters to line up. For instance, long polynomial division might look like this:

Code: Select all
                       x^3 + 2x^2 -  x -  5        -----------------------------------x^2 - 2 )x^5 + 2x^4 - 3x^3 - 9x^2 + 2x + 10         x^5 + 2x^4 -  x^3 - 5x^2        -----------------------------------                    - 2x^3 - 4x^2 + 2x + 10                    - 2x^3 - 4x^2 + 2x + 10        -----------------------------------                                          0

Try always to remember to "Preview" your message first, to make sure you're posting what you meant to say. Thank you!

PM_Admin
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### Re: How to type math clearly

And maybe no "Caps Lock"? Because SHOUTING seems rude, ya know?

maggiemagnet

Posts: 276
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:32 am

### Re: How to type math clearly

Thank you for this information. This is the first time I have taken an online math course and was unsure how to type the equations. This is soooooo very helpful.
faymay

Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:08 pm

### Re: How to type math clearly

thanks but how do you type sq root
nurse1

Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:08 pm

nurse1 wrote:thanks but how do you type sq root

Which part of the explanation and examples in the article (in the link in the first post above) on the rules of web-safe math formatting did not make sense to you? Please be specific. Thank you!

stapel_eliz

Posts: 1756
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:22 pm

### Re: How to type math clearly

Hi guys,
Thanks for the information,
Helps me here a lot!
Lee Juses11

Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 6:07 am

### Re: How to type math clearly

This post is a big help!!!
nicoleweems8935

Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:39 am

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