How to enter math

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You can add math to your post either using either simple plain text math, or LaTeX.

You need to surround your math with <b>backticks</b> (not apostrophes).

<b>Mobile devices:</b> You can use <b><code>qq</code></b> at the beginning and end of your math - it's much easier than finding the back tick.

<h2>1. Plain text math</h2>

You can use calculator-like syntax (also called ASCIIMath).

<h3>Examples:</h3>
<b>Pythagoras' Theorem:</b> <code>`a^2 + b^2 = c^2`</code>, gives: `a^2 + b^2 = c^2`

If you are using a phone, you can enter the above example like this:

<code>qq a^2 + b^2 = c^2 qq</code>

(Note the <code>qq</code> at the beginning and end of the math.)

<b>Integral:</b> <code>`int0^(2pi) sin x dx=0`</code>

`int0^(2pi) sin x dx=0`

<b>Matrices:</b>

<code>`[(1,2,3),(4,7,2),(4,2,1)]`</code> gives

`[(1,2,3),(4,7,2),(4,2,1)]`

See <a href="/help/send-math-email-syntax.php">Syntax for ASCIIMathML</a> for all of the math symbols you can use, and how to enter them.

<h2>2. LaTeX math input</h2>

<h3>Examples:</h3>
<b>Partial fractions:</b>

<code>`\frac{\partial f(x,y)}{\partial x}=x^2 \cosh x^y`</code> gives

`\frac{\partial f(x,y)}{\partial x}=x^2 \cosh x^y`

<b>Summation notation: </b>

<code>`\sum{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{2^n}=2`</code>, which produces:

`\sum{n=0}^{\infty}\frac{1}{2^n}=2`

Relevant page

<a href="/help/send-math-email-syntax.php">Syntax for ASCIIMathML</a>

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Very useful, thanks.

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How to enter square root?

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The square root sign uses the following syntax:

<code>sqrt(a^2 + b^2)</code>

This produces:

`sqrt(a^2 + b^2)`

See all possible symbols in the link given above

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Thank you!

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Can you do partial derivatives using the simpler ASCIIMath input?

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Sure can! Here's the plain text math version:

<code>`(partial f(x,y))/(partial x)=x^2 cosh x^y`</code>

gives you

`(partial f(x,y))/(partial x)=x^2 cosh x^y`

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Thank you very much for this, Murray. I did not know how to do cube root and now I do:)