Difference between revisions of "Documentation/FAQ/Formula"

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==How can I get a left bracket without a right bracket?==
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:{{OOo}} Math FAQ}}__NOTOC__{{Documentation/FAQTOC}}{{Note| A useful first resource is the '''[[Documentation/Reference/Math_commands|OpenOffice Math Syntax Reference]]'''.}}
−
Since brackets have a grouping function they must always match and
+
Search the FAQs: <googlefaq/>
−
be correctly nested.
+
This list is ordered by popularity. The most popular FAQs are at the top. But also have a look at the bottom to find any new entries.
  
−
To get a single bracket without a matching bracket partner you
+
Below the list you can find some more FAQs that have special characters in the title.
−
have to escape the bracket with a backslash. For example to get a &quot;[&quot;
+
−
without a corresponding &quot;]&quot; you should enter "'''\['''".
+
  
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Thus to typeset the interval [3;8) you should enter <font color="brown">'''\[3 ";" 8\)'''</font>. The quotation marks around the semicolon ensures that it
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<DPL>
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is not typeset in italic. (You're right, this has nothing to do with
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  category=Documentation/FAQ/Formula
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brackets!)
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  ordermethod=counter
 +
  order=descending
 +
  replaceintitle=/Documentation.*\//,
 +
  secseparators=<br>
 +
</DPL>
  
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For scalable brackets it is essential that '''left''' and
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<div style="background-color:#EEE;border:solid 1pt #AAA;padding:10px;margin-top:20px">
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'''right''' matches, since the content that the brackets
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===Add a new FAQ entry===
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encloses must be well defined.
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<inputbox>
−
 
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bgcolor=#EEE
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In this case you can use the invisible bracket '''none''' to
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type=create
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get a single bracket. For example to get a scalable &quot;[&quot;
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default=Documentation/FAQ/Formula/<FAQ_TITLE>
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without a corresponding &quot;]&quot; you should enter <font color="brown">'''left [
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preload=Documentation/FAQ_Template
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... right none'''</font>.
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buttonlabel=Add new FAQ
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break=no
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Thus to typeset
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</inputbox>
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[[Image:001a.gif]]you
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'''Instructions'''
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should enter<font color="brown">''' x=left lbrace binom -5 3 right none'''</font>.
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* Do '''not ask questions''' here, but '''give answers'''.  
 +
* If you have a '''question to ask''', go to the [http://user.services.openoffice.org User Forum].
 +
* Replace ''<FAQ_TITLE>'' part in the input box above by the title you would like to give the FAQ item and click '''Add New FAQ'''
 +
</div>
  
 
==I enter <font color="brown">'''x^*'''</font> to typeset x<SUP>*</SUP>, but get an error message. Why?==
 
==I enter <font color="brown">'''x^*'''</font> to typeset x<SUP>*</SUP>, but get an error message. Why?==
Line 34: Line 39:
  
 
If you use this construction a lot you might want to define the
 
If you use this construction a lot you might want to define the
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symbol as a userdefined symbol. See <A HREF="012.html">FAQ #012</A>.
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symbol as a userdefined symbol. See [[FAQ:Formula#I_need_a_symbol_that_Math_does_not_provide._What_can_I_do.3F|I need a symbol that Math does not provide. What can I do?]].
 
If you have defined the * as a userdefined symbol, say<font color="brown">''' %ast'''</font>,
 
If you have defined the * as a userdefined symbol, say<font color="brown">''' %ast'''</font>,
 
you can enter<font color="brown">''' x^%ast'''</font>.
 
you can enter<font color="brown">''' x^%ast'''</font>.
  
 
This answer applies to a lot of other symbols as well. Some operators, such as +, are unary, that is there only has to be an expression to the right of the symbol. To typeset x<SUP>+</SUP> you can enter<font color="brown">''' x^{+{}}<'''</font> or, of course, <font color="brown">'''x^"+"'''</font>.
 
This answer applies to a lot of other symbols as well. Some operators, such as +, are unary, that is there only has to be an expression to the right of the symbol. To typeset x<SUP>+</SUP> you can enter<font color="brown">''' x^{+{}}<'''</font> or, of course, <font color="brown">'''x^"+"'''</font>.
−
 
  
 
==When I enter one of the symbols '''<font color="brown">#</font>,<font color="brown"> &amp;</font> ,<font color="brown">|</font>,<font color="brown">^</font>''' or <font color="brown">'''_'''</font> I get an unexpected result or an error message. How can I use these symbols?==
 
==When I enter one of the symbols '''<font color="brown">#</font>,<font color="brown"> &amp;</font> ,<font color="brown">|</font>,<font color="brown">^</font>''' or <font color="brown">'''_'''</font> I get an unexpected result or an error message. How can I use these symbols?==
Line 47: Line 51:
 
*The symbol<font color="brown">''' # '''</font>is used in stacks and matrices.
 
*The symbol<font color="brown">''' # '''</font>is used in stacks and matrices.
 
*The symbols<font color="brown">''' &amp; '''</font>and<font color="brown">''' | '''</font>are used for logical and and logical or.
 
*The symbols<font color="brown">''' &amp; '''</font>and<font color="brown">''' | '''</font>are used for logical and and logical or.
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*The symbols<font color="brown">''' ^ '''</font>and<font color="brown">''' _ '''</font>are used for
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*The symbols<font color="brown">''' ^ '''</font>and<font color="brown">''' _ '''</font>are used for subscripts and superscripts.
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subscripts and superscripts.
+
−
 
+
  
 
To use them in your formula you can put them in quotation marks,
 
To use them in your formula you can put them in quotation marks,
Line 63: Line 65:
  
 
Not really. What happens here is, that Math uses multi-letter
 
Not really. What happens here is, that Math uses multi-letter
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variables, which are common in some disciplines, like economy. The
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variables, which are common in some disciplines, like economics. The
 
rule is that a variable consists of a sequence of letters, numbers
 
rule is that a variable consists of a sequence of letters, numbers
 
and dots (the first character can not be a dot).
 
and dots (the first character can not be a dot).
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times y is<font color="brown">''' 3 x y '''</font>(with spaces between the characters).
 
times y is<font color="brown">''' 3 x y '''</font>(with spaces between the characters).
  
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==How do I align my equations at the equality sign?==
 
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Currently ''Math'' does not have an alignment construction.
 
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Instead you can use a matrix.
 
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For example to typeset the equation
 
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[[Image:005a.gif]]
 
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you should enter the following:
 
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<pre>
 
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matrix{
 
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  alignr x+y # {}={} # alignl 2 ##
 
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  alignr x  # {}={} # alignl 2-y
 
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}
 
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</pre>
 
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The empty braces around = are necessary because = is a binary
 
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operator and thus needs an expression on each side.
 
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You can reduce the spacing around = if you change the inter-column
 
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spacing of the matrix:
 
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−
 
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*Select '''Format-Spacing'''
 
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*Click ''''Category'''' and choose'''Matrixes''' in the pop-up menu.
 
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*Now enter<font color="brown">''' 0% '''</font>under ''''Column spacing''''.
 
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−
 
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Here is another example using a different solution:
 
−
 
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To typeset the equation
 
−
 
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[[Image:005b.gif]]
 
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the trick is to use <font color="brown">'''phantom'''</font> as follows:
 
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<pre>&quot;&quot;3(x+4)-2(x-1)=3 x+12-(2 x-2) newline
 
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&quot;&quot;phantom {3(x+4)-2(x-1)}=3 x+12-2 x+2 newline
 
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&quot;&quot;phantom {3(x+4)-2(x-1)}=x+14</pre>
 
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<P STYLE="margin-top: 0.2cm; margin-bottom: 0.21cm; font-weight: medium">
 
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The effect of the empty quotation marks is to left justify the line -
 
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a line starting with text (even an empty text) will always be left
 
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justified.</P>
 
−
 
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You can replace<font color="brown">''' &quot;&quot; '''</font>with <font color="brown">'''alignl'''</font>.
 
  
 
==I want to use a binary operator (like <font color="brown">'''union'''</font> or<font color="brown"> '''otimes'''</font>) as a large operator (like <font color="brown">'''int'''</font> or <font color="brown">'''sum'''</font>). How can I do that?==
 
==I want to use a binary operator (like <font color="brown">'''union'''</font> or<font color="brown"> '''otimes'''</font>) as a large operator (like <font color="brown">'''int'''</font> or <font color="brown">'''sum'''</font>). How can I do that?==
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preceded with<font color="brown">''' oper '''</font>as in the example.</P>
 
preceded with<font color="brown">''' oper '''</font>as in the example.</P>
  
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==How do I typeset functions, such as max, det, that ''Math'' does not know about?==
 
−
 
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''Math'' has a number of standard functions built-in, such as
 
−
cos, log etc.
 
−
 
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These functions are typeset in an upright shape according to
 
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typographical traditions.
 
−
 
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To typeset other functions this way you can simply preceed the
 
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function with<font color="brown">''' func'''</font>. Example:
 
−
 
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*To typeset max(''a,b'') you should enter<font color="brown">''' func
 
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max(a,b)'''</font>.
 
−
 
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==How do I change the fonts used in my formula?==
 
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''Math'' uses 7 different text fonts to typeset formulas -
 
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in addition to symbol fonts (mainly the StarMath font).
 
−
 
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The basic fonts are:
 
−
 
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*''Variables''. Variables (such as<font color="brown">''' x'''</font>, <font color="brown">'''a'''</font> etc.) are usually typeset in italics; the default is Times New Roman, italics.
 
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*''Functions''. Functions (such as<font color="brown">''' cos'''</font>, <font color="brown">'''log'''</font> etc.) are usually typeset in upright shape; the default is Times New Roman.
 
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*''Numbers''. Numbers (such as<font color="brown">''' 217'''</font> are usually typeset in upright shape; the default is Times New Roman.
 
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*''Text''. Text (such as<font color="brown">''' &quot;abc&quot;'''</font>) is usually typeset in upright shape; the default is Times New Roman.
 
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*''Serif'' is an additional, serifed font. The default is Times New Roman.
 
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*''Sans'' is an additional, sans serif font. The default is Helvetica/Arial.
 
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*''Fixed'' is an additional fixed with font. The default is Courier.
 
−
 
−
 
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You can read about how to use these fonts in [[FAQ:Formula#How_do_I_change_the_font of a subformula?]].
 
−
 
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To change one of the fonts follow these steps:
 
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*Select '''Format-Fonts...'''.
 
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*Click ''''Modify'''' and select the font you wish to modify in the pop-up menu.
 
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*Select the font in the list. You can also check one or both the checkboxes ''''Bold'''' and ''''Italic''''.
 
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*Close the dialog with ''''OK''''.
 
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This will change the font for the current formula. The next time
 
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you want to use the same font it will already be in the list box; you
 
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don't have to click modify again.
 
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To change the default fonts follow these steps:
 
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*Select '''Format-Fonts'''.
 
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*Choose the seven fonts as described above.
 
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*Click ''''Default''''.
 
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This will save your settings as the default fonts to be used in a
 
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new formula.
 
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To change the base size of the formula select '''Format-Font Size...'''
 
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and enter the size you want. All other font sizes are relative to the
 
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base size. The default is 12&nbsp;pt.
 
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This will change the base size for the current formula. To change
 
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the default base size you should click ''''Default'''' before you close the
 
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dialog.
 
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==How do I change the font of a subformula?==
 
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You can use one of the following font attributes:
 
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−
 
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*<font color="brown">'''italic a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in italic shape.
 
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*so does<font color="brown">''' ital a'''</font>>.
 
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*<font color="brown">'''nitalic a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in upright shape (abbreviation for not italic).
 
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*<font color="brown">'''bold a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in boldface.
 
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*<font color="brown">'''nbold a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>with normal weight (abbreviation for not bold).
 
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−
 
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In addition ''Math'' uses a set of three generic font families,
 
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which are used as follows:
 
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*<font color="brown">'''font serif a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in a serifed font, usually Times.
 
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*<font color="brown">'''font sans a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in a sans serif font, usually Helvetica or Arial.
 
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*<font color="brown">'''font fixed a '''</font>typesets<font color="brown">''' a '''</font>in a fixed font, usually Courier.
 
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−
 
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Font attributes can be combined as in this example:
 
−
 
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*Enter<font color="brown">''' bold font sans A '''</font>to get <B><FONT FACE="Arial, sans-serif">A</FONT></B>.
 
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You can apply font attributes to an entire subformula if you group
 
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it with<font color="brown">''' { } '''</font>or other brackets. Example:
 
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*Enter<font color="brown">''' a b bold {c d} e '''</font>to typeset ab<B>cd</B>e.
 
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When several font attributes are applied, the innermost takes
 
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precedence as shown in this example:
 
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*Enter<font color="brown">''' bold {a b nbold c d} '''</font>to get <B>ab</B>c<B>d</B>.
 
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−
 
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To change the fonts used in ''Math'' see [[FAQ:Formula#How_do_I_change_the_fonts_used_in_my_formula?|How do I change the fonts used in my formula?]]
 
−
 
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==How do I change the size of a subformula?==
 
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There are five variants of the size-changing command:
 
−
 
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*<font color="brown">'''size 20 a '''</font>typesets a with the font size 20 pt.
 
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*<font color="brown">'''size +5 a '''</font>typesets a with current font size plus 5pt.
 
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*<font color="brown">'''size -5 a '''</font>typesets a with current font size minus 5pt.
 
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*<font color="brown">'''size *1.5 a '''</font>typesets a with current font size times 1.5.
 
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*<font color="brown">'''size /1.5 a '''</font>typesets a with current font size divided by 1.5.
 
−
 
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You can change the font size of an entire subformula if you group
 
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it with<font color="brown">''' { } '''</font>or other brackets. Example:
 
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*Enter<font color="brown">''' a b size *2 {c d} e '''</font>to typeset ab<FONT SIZE=6>cd</FONT>e.
 
−
 
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When several font size changes are applied, the innermost takes
 
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precedence as shown in this example:
 
−
 
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*Enter<font color="brown">''' size *1.5 {a size 12 b size *1.5 c d} '''</font>to get <FONT SIZE=5>a<FONT SIZE=3>b</FONT><FONT SIZE=6>c</FONT>d</FONT>.
 
−
 
−
 
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To change the base font size used in Math see [[FAQ:Formula#How_do_I_change_the_fonts_used_in_my_formula?|How do I change the fonts used in my formula?]]
 
−
 
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==How do I change the color of a subformula?==
 
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You can use the color command as follows:
 
−
 
−
 
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*<font color="brown">'''color red ABC '''</font>typesets <FONT COLOR="#ff0000">ABC</FONT>.
 
−
 
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There are eight different colors to choose from:
 
−
 
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*white, black, cyan, magenta, red, blue, green, yellow.
 
−
 
−
 
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You can apply a color to an entire subformula if you group it with
 
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{ } or other brackets. Example:
 
−
 
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*Enter<font color="brown">''' A B color green {C D} E '''</font>to typeset AB<FONT COLOR="#00ff00">CD</FONT>E.
 
−
 
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When several colors are applied, the innermost takes precedence as
 
−
shown in this example:
 
−
 
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*Enter<font color="brown">''' color blue {A B color yellow C D} '''</font>to get
 
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<FONT COLOR="#0000ff">AB<FONT COLOR="#ffff00">C</FONT>D</FONT>.
 
−
 
−
 
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You cannot select the background color; a ''Math'' formula is
 
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always transparent. This means that it inherits the background color
 
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from the document (for example a writer document) it is contained in.
 
−
 
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==I need a symbol that ''Math'' does not provide. What can I do?==
 
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If you have a font containing the symbol you can define a userdefined symbol.
 
−
 
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<P STYLE="font-style: normal">Follow these steps:</P>
 
−
 
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*Open the Symbols dialog ('''Tools-Catalog...''').
 
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*Click ''''Edit''''.
 
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*Type a name for the new symbol in the combobox <B>'Symbol'</B>.
 
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*Type a new name or select
 
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an existing name in the combobox <B>'Symbol set</B>. This is the
 
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symbol set you want your symbol to appear in.
 
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*Select the font in the listbox <B>'Font'</B>, for example the
 
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StarMath font.
 
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*Select the formatting (normal, bold, bold-italic or italic)
 
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in the listbox <B>'Typeface'</B>.
 
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*Click on the symbol in the table.
 
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*Click <b>'Add'</b> to add your symbol.
 
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You can now use your symbol like any other symbol by selecting it
 
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in the Symbols dialog or entering<font color="brown"> %thenameofthesymbol '''</font>directly.
 
−
 
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If you don't have the symbol try looking in the StarMath font
 
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first; it contains about 25 additional symbols.
 
−
 
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Another source of symbols is the so-called AMS fonts of the
 
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American Mathematical society.
 
−
 
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You can download these in Postscript type 1 format from
 
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[http://www.ams.org/tex/amsfonts.html www.ams.org/tex/amsfonts.html].
 
−
 
−
If you use Microsoft Windows you might prefer to download the unofficial BaKoMa Truetype versions from [http://www.ctan.org/tex-archive/fonts/cm/ps-type1/bakoma/ www.ctan.org/tex-archive/fonts/cm/ps-type1/bakoma/].
 
  
−
Refer to the documentation distributed with the fonts for
+
[[Category: Documentation/FAQ]]
−
conditions of use.
+
[[Category:User FAQ]]

Revision as of 20:30, 1 July 2018

doc OOo


Documentation note.png A useful first resource is the OpenOffice Math Syntax Reference.

Search the FAQs:

This list is ordered by popularity. The most popular FAQs are at the top. But also have a look at the bottom to find any new entries.

Below the list you can find some more FAQs that have special characters in the title.

Add a new FAQ entry

Instructions

  • Do not ask questions here, but give answers.
  • If you have a question to ask, go to the User Forum.
  • Replace <FAQ_TITLE> part in the input box above by the title you would like to give the FAQ item and click Add New FAQ

I enter x^* to typeset x*, but get an error message. Why?

The problem is that * is a binary operator, that is there has to be an expression on both sides of the symbol.

You either have to enter the expression x^{{}*{}} to avoid the error message, or you could type x^"*" as well, where the quotes will interprete the asterisk not as a binary operator but as a "standalone" symbol.

If you use this construction a lot you might want to define the symbol as a userdefined symbol. See I need a symbol that Math does not provide. What can I do?. If you have defined the * as a userdefined symbol, say %ast, you can enter x^%ast.

This answer applies to a lot of other symbols as well. Some operators, such as +, are unary, that is there only has to be an expression to the right of the symbol. To typeset x+ you can enter x^{+{}}< or, of course, x^"+".

When I enter one of the symbols #, & ,|,^ or _ I get an unexpected result or an error message. How can I use these symbols?

These symbols all have a special meaning in Math:

  • The symbol # is used in stacks and matrices.
  • The symbols & and | are used for logical and and logical or.
  • The symbols ^ and _ are used for subscripts and superscripts.

To use them in your formula you can put them in quotation marks, which means that you insert them as text.

If you want to use the symbol "|" you should consider whether the construction you need is one of the the following:

  • a divides b is used to typeset a| b.
  • abs a is used to typeset |a|.

When I enter 3xy the number 3 comes out in italics. Is this a bug?

Not really. What happens here is, that Math uses multi-letter variables, which are common in some disciplines, like economics. The rule is that a variable consists of a sequence of letters, numbers and dots (the first character can not be a dot).

So when you enter 3xy this is considered a variable - and variables are typeset in italics. The only odd thing here is, that a variable can start with a number.

The correct way to enter the expression if you mean 3 times x times y is 3 x y (with spaces between the characters).


I want to use a binary operator (like union or otimes) as a large operator (like int or sum). How can I do that?

You have to define the symbol you want to use as a user-defined symbol first. See <A HREF="012.html">FAQ #012</A> for instructions; most of the symbols used by Math are part of the StarMath font.

Let's say you have defined the union symbol as the user-defined symbol %union. You can then enter for example 

oper%union from i in I A_i

in order to typeset the formula

006a.gif

Note: In build 633 this doesn't work if there is a space before %union (this is a bug in the parser).

Any user-defined symbol can be used as a large operator if it is preceded with oper as in the example.

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