CREATING EQUATIONS IN DOCUMENTS:

1. The / Document Languages

They are typesetting languages for mathematics. A programming language in its own right, with sophisticated scripting capabilities.

Many versions of TeX and LaTeX are text based, rather than WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). The text is compiled into a device-independent intermediate form (DVI) which is then processed into a form which can be printed or previewed (e.g. into PostScript). However, there are now LaTeX based programs that are WYSIWYG. This makes document preparation very much faster, and requiring less skills.

There are hundreds of basic commands (even more when you include extensions such as LaTeX and AMSTeX). Part of the complexity is due to the fact that you can control text and graphics alignment and placement on a page down to the pixel level.

G. Donald Allen: http://academicsolutions.com/workshop/TeX.html

The following process is used to create, print or view a file.

Text file written in T_EX

T_EX program

DVI

file

device driver

readable

output

Uses:

· Professional Mathematics paper submission.

· Acces, a Test Creation Software for educators, uses questions written in T_EX format.

Advantages:

· DVI files are device independent. (viewed with a DVI viewer written for that platform)

· Documents are small in size

· High quality printing and viewing of mathematical symbols.

· Free versions of dvi generators (compilers) and dvi viewers are available.

Disadvantages:

· You must learn the codes and syntax. Any errors must be debugged.
eg. \f{3}{2}
eg. \r2
eg. If $\log_x\pf{1}{64} = -\df32$ , then $x$ is equal to

· Special Graphics are stored individually and brought into the document when viewed or printed. (eg. jpg, pcx )

· Multiple steps to finally create a document.

2. Embedded equations in Word

Ctrl-F9 {eq \codes} Shift-F9

{eq \f(3,2)} becomes

{eq \r(2)} becomes

_Alt-F9_{shows all
embedded equations….}

Advantages:

· A few keystrokes and the equation appears WYSIWYG.

· Editing, Viewing and printing are all in one document.

Disadvantages:

· You need to learn special keystrokes and codes.

3. Equation Editors

These are graphics and they can be resized and re-edited

· Equation Magic http://www.micropress-inc.com/eqmlite.htm

Notice the TeX field below the equation….

(The lite version is free, pro-version $50)

·        MS Equation
comes with Word, Wordperfect,…
            may need to be installed.

To open use Insert\Object…\Microsoft Equation 3.0                       (Note: keyboard shortcuts exist)