Using Equation Editor

2001.07.26

For math and science teachers, entering equations into typewritten (or word processed) documents is often a challenge. For the novice, many tabs, spaces, underlines, and struggles with the Symbol font yield unsatisfactory results. But for years, a tool has been embedded in both AppleWorks and Microsoft Word which will allow you to create publication-quality equations with a minimum of fuss. This article serves as a brief introduction to Equation Editor and how to learn more. Equation Editor is sufficient for most users' needs, particularly in high school (and even elementary school).

Equation Editor is actually a third party program licensed by both Apple and Microsoft for use in their word processing programs. It is a "lite" version of Mathtype, available for $129 ($99 educational) at www.mathtype.com. The vendor's Web site goes into considerable detail explaining what the differences are between Mathtype and Equation Editor; the gist of it is many automation and simplification tools exist in Mathtype. If you write equations regularly, you might want to consider the upgrade.

It's interesting to compare your old version of Equation Editor on Word 5.1 or ClarisWorks to what is included with Microsoft Word 98; they're virtually identical.

To call up Equation Editor, you can either locate the program on your hard disk (it was most likely installed in your AppleWorks folder) and open it like any other program, or while using the word processor, choose "Insert Equation" from the Edit menu. Equation Editor starts up and becomes the topmost application using this window:

This is where you will construct your equation. For most simple equations, you can just start typing with the keyboard keys. For example, typing "F=ma" generates an equation just like it does in the word processor. However, Equation Editor converts what you've typed into a graphic which is pasted in place. F=ma from equation editor looks very similar to F=ma from the word processor; however, since the Equation Editor generates graphics, you can't edit the equation directly without double-clicking on it.

Converting a document to a web page or other file may cause the graphic to be converted into inline GIFs which can no longer be edited without a paint program, so it's a good idea to keep your original documents as word processor files.

However, the real power of Equation Editor is its ability to write complex formulas without resorting to superscripts and subscripts. Let's consider a simple physics formula for projectile motion, such as:

Typing this equation using just word processing tools took the following steps.

1. Type "y = y"
2. Type Command-shift-"-" to start subscripts
3. Type "0" (zero)
4. Type Command-shift-"-" to end subscripts
5. Type "+ v"
6. Type Command-shift-"-" to start subscripts
7. Type "0" (zero)
8. Type Command-shift-"-" to end subscripts
9. Type "t +"
10. Type Command-shift-"+" to start superscripts
11. Type "1" (one)
12. Type Command-shift-"+" to end superscripts
13. Type"/"
14. Type Command-shift-"-" to start subscripts
15. Type "2" (two)
16. Type Command-shift-"-" to end subscripts
17. Type "gt"
18. Type Command-shift-"+" to start superscripts
19. Type "2" (two)
20. Type Command-shift-"+" to end superscripts
21. Then select the zeros and twos and reduce their font sizes.

On the other hand, entering this equation in Equation Editor takes the following steps:

1. Type "y=y"
2. Type Command -"l" (lowercase L) "0" then Tab;
3. Type "+v"
4. Type Command -"l" (lowercase L) "0" then Tab;
5. Type "t+"
6. Click the button for setting up fractions;
7. Type "1", Tab, "2", Tab;
8. Type "gt"
9. Type Command -"h", "2" then close the window, which inserts the equation into the document.

It's still not beautifully elegant, but it's quite clear it is more efficient than typing in equations with only word processing tools. And Equation Editor also includes tools for square roots, integral signs, the entire Greek alphabet, special mathematical symbols such as set notation and vectors, and matrices.

This is a powerful tool which I plan to have students use in their writing this fall. If you want more help, try using the online help included with the program (press the "help" key on your extended keyboard). This is mainly concerned with keyboard shortcuts. For even more tips to get as much out of the program as possible, visit www.mathtype.com; even though they are giving you an extended sales pitch for the upgrade, the "Equation Editor Tips" page has a lot of valuable content. One valuable tip, for example, suggests that you create an equation document with templates of frequently used equations for you to cut and paste into other documents.

Jeff Adkins is a science teacher who isn't afraid to state his preferences in computing platforms. In his classroom he has everything from a beige All-in-One to a a G4 XServe, and they all work together nicely. He calls himself the "poster child for technology integration" in the classroom. He was the 2006 Outstanding Educator of the Year for the California Computer Using Educators (CUE) organization. He also maintains a site for astronomy teachers at www.AstronomyTeacher.com.

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