Tips on Word Processing and Typesetting with Mathematica

Amy DeCelles

This is a brief intro to using Mathematica to write up mathematical papers.

Palettes and Keyboard Shortcuts

I recommend using the Writing Assisstant Palette from the Palettes menu.  Notice that you can create new cells, modify cells, format the text, format the paragraphs, and check spelling, using the Writing and Formatting tab.  

If you are not a point-and-click type of person, you can also learn keybord shortcuts from the Writing Assistant Palette.  For example, if you want to insert a title, click the Title Cells button.  Notice that it offers you several options and also gives the keybord shortcuts for each option.

Typesetting Mathematical Expressions

You can insert mathematical text using the Math Cells button.  You can insert a mathematical expression inline or displayed.  You can also insert a series of equations that are aligned nicely.

Using the Typesetting tab, you can format mathematical expressions.  For example, you can create superscripts, as in (x^2), subscripts, square roots, and fractions.  You can also insert special characters, like α or ∑.

Also, a judicious use of copy and paste can save lots of time.  For example, if I type the following into a separate Mathematica notebook (to keep my document looking neat.)

Factor[x^2 + 4x + 4]

TraditionalForm[%]

I can copy that nice factored expression and paste it into my document: (((x+2))^2).  This is a quick way to incorporate the outcomes of your computations into your document.

Graphics

Similarly, you can create a graph in a separate Mathematica notebook, copy and paste it into your document, and mark it up using the Drawing Tools palette.  For example, see the graph below.

Itemized Lists

To create an itemized list, click below your current text cell to position the horizonal insertion bar.  Then select Item from the Format > Style menu.  Then enter your first item  Pressing Enter or Return will insert another bullet.  For example,

item one

item two

item three

Inserting an enumerated list can be done by selecting ItemNumbered from the Format > Style menu instead of Item.  For example,

first point

second point

third point

You can also use the Item Cell option under the Text Cells tab on the Writing and Formatting Palette.

More on Mathematical Typesetting

An “inline” mathematical expression refers to an expression that occrurs within the flow of your paragraph.  For example, you might want to say, “Consider the function f(x)=3(x^2)+28.”  To insert an inline mathematical expression without using a palette, use Control+(.  You will see a blue box, which is a placeholder for your mathematical expression.  If you start typing, you will be typing inside the blue box, which means Mathematica will interpret your typing as a mathematical expression.  When you are finished with your mathematical expression, press Control+).  

 There are also keyboard shortcuts for superscripts, subscripts, and special characters.  For example, to create a superscript within an inline formula, type Control+^.  When you are done with the superscript press Control+Space.  See the Symbolic Notational Forms documentation for more.
 
 To insert special characters, like π or α, use a backslash and square brackets in a math cell.  Here is a complete list of special characters: Listing of named characters.
 
A long mathematical expression should be displayed on a line by itself.  To do this use the Centered Math Cell option from the Math Cells tab.   For example, if I want to use quadratic formula, I might display it as follows:

({{({{x = ((-b±(Sqrt[(b^2)-4ac]))/(2a))}})}})

A computation involving a series of equalities can be presented nicely using the Equal Symbol Aligned Math Cell option.  Press Control+Enter to create additional rows.  For example,

({{({{(((x-3))^2)+7=4}, {(x^2)-6x+9+7=4}, {(x^2)-6x+16=4}, {x^2-6x+12=0}})}})

For more information, see the Mathematical Typesetting documentation.