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Math Features

The ability to display mathematics formulas of exceptional complexity is one of the most valuable assets of LATEX. A simple formula like the solution to the quadratic equation is not possible to write using current versions of HTML but is easy in LATEX. For instance, the following code:

      \begin{displaymath}
      x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt[2]{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}
      \end{displaymath}

Produces the following formula:

\begin{displaymath}
x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt[2]{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}
\end{displaymath}

Even strange formulas with Greek letters, such as $\delta = \pi sin(\theta -\Sigma)$, can be inserted right within a line of text by surrounding the necessary components of the equation with dollar signs ($).

       $\delta = \pi sin(\theta -\Sigma)$

To insert sections of computer code so that it keeps the same format, try using the $\backslash$begin{verbatim} tag. For instance, the following segment of code was printed using this option.

      main()
            { cout << "Hello \LaTeX" << endl;
            }



Don Hyatt 2001-06-08