Help:Math

From Thinkmath

To use mathematical typesetting, begin mathematical expressions with <math> and end with </math>.

Superscripts (exponents) and subscripts are indicated just using the caret (shift 6, ^) or underscore, followed by the super/subscript. Curly-braces {} indicate "scope," so if one needs more than a single character (e.g., for a two-digit number or an expression as exponent or subscript), use {}. Most other mathematical symbols all begin with the "backslash" character (\) and most have relatively memorable names, like \frac \times \div \sum \geq \leq .

Examples

To get $4 \times \frac {11} {12} = \frac {44} {12} = 3 \frac 8 {12} = 3 \frac 2 3$ , type

<math>4 \times \frac {11} {12} = \frac {44} {12} = 3 \frac 8 {12} = 3 \frac 2 3</math>

To get $12 \div 4 > 2.5 \geq x$ , type

<math>12 \div 4 > 2.5 \geq x</math>

To get , type
<math>\overline{AB} \perp \overline{CD}</math>
Note the use of {} to surround AB.

To get f(x) = ax² + bx + c, type
<math>f(x)=a x^2 + b x + c</math>
Note that the coefficient is followed by a space.

Leaving extra space between lines containing mathematical expressions

Mathematical expressions usually use a different font and size from the normal font of your browser. Sometimes extra lines between expressions are important for clarity. In the following examples, note the use of "breakline" (<br>) followed by space and another <br> to leave an extra line between expressions.

Wiki markup


<math> \sum_{k=1}^{n}{k} = \frac {n(n+1)} 2 </math> 
Note the use of {} to show that n(n+1) is ''all'' in the numerator. <br>  <br>

<math> \int_{\theta=0}^{\pi}{\sin \theta} </math> 
All Greek letters are just named. Note use of underscore.

What it looks like in your browser

$\sum_{k=1}^{n}{k} = \frac {n(n+1)} 2$ Note the use of {} to show that n(n+1) is all in the numerator.

$\int_{\theta=0}^{\pi}{\sin \theta}$ All Greek letters are just named. Note use of underscore.

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A more elaborate example

The following example -- mathematically utterly meaningless -- shows how to create annotated computations. The typesetting (not content) is borrowed from Wikipedia's nice article on casting out nines.

$\mathit{12345}\,$	$\Rightarrow$	$0(x)\,$	A five digit number, an arrow, and some notations.^‡
$\underline{-3\mathit{124}}\,$	$\Rightarrow$	$\times 2\,$	More stuff.^**
$\mathit{9} 2 \mathit{21}\,$		$\bigg\Downarrow$	We need two rows of arrow on one side.
$\Downarrow$		$\bigg\Downarrow$	But only one row of arrow on the other.
${2}\,$	$\Leftrightarrow$	$2\,$	Final comment.^††