Entering Expressions from Toolbars and Palettes

These operations are available only in Symbol Mode Math entry.  

 

Basic Appearance

The basic formula entry cell for Symbol Mode resembles the following when it appears in a question.

Expression Templates

Math expressions and equations are created from templates.

To create a new template, click its icon in the toolbar.

 

Blank templates have slots represented by small squares that can be filled in.  To select a slot, click it with the mouse, or use the TAB key to cycle between empty slots.  For more information, see Entering & Editing Formulas in Symbol Mode.

 

If you highlight an expression and click a template, the highlighted expression is automatically placed in the main template slot.  For example, selecting an x and clicking the superscript template fills in the x  as the base of the superscript.

 

When the cursor is in a slot, the parent template is faintly outlined in gray.  Since many templates can be nested in a single equation, this helps you keep track of where you are.

Example Math Function and Symbol Palettes and Templates

Depending on the questions your instructor has chosen, various math function templates can appear in your formula toolbar.  

 

Examples:

 

Math Operators

Calculus

Trigonometry

 

Arrows

 

Greek

 

Utilities

  • Cut

  • Copy

  • Paste

  • Undo

  • Magnify

  • Reduce