Doing Math on a Computer

Often, students ask "How can I do math on a computer?" This document gives some answers to that question.

First, realize that you may do many operations with keyboard symbols, by using the following notations:

Using Your Keyboard

• To post exponents like x², enter as x^2.
• To enter fractions like , enter as 2/5  +  3/7
   
• Use * for multiply.  So 3 X 4 is typed 3 * 4.
  
   
• Use !x! to represent absolute value of x.
  
   
• Use / for divide so  is typed 28 / 7 = 4.  
   
• To enter square roots like  , enter as sqrt(x + 3).

Doing Math in Discussions

There are several key features of Discussions you will want to use:

When posting, choose Advanced Mode. You can then create exponents, change your text color, and apply other font effects, as shown below.

Also, in Advanced Mode, you can insert all sorts of mathematical symbols like divide signs, greek symbols, etc, as shown below.

Inputting Equations in Discussions or on Homework

You can do a lot of math with just your keyboard. And, if you use the exponent generator shown previously, it doesn't look all that bad. For example, the math expression

(x² - 4)(x² - x)
----------------------- =
(x² - 2x)(x² + 4x + 4)

And even without the exponent creator, you can type this in as

(x^2 - 4)(x^2 - x)
-------------------------- =
(x^2 - 2x)(x^2 + 4x + 4)

where x² is represented with x^2.

But How Do I Single Space In Discussions (or Course Connect Email)?

In the above example, if you try to type in the equation as shown in Discussions, you will probably get

(x² - 4)(x² - x)

----------------------- =

(x² - 2x)(x² + 4x + 4)

because each time you do a carriage return (hit Enter), you get a new paragraph and an extra blank line. A very easy way to get single spacing is to choose Address mode, as shown below.

Using this trick, you would be able to type in the expression as

(x² - 4)(x² - x)
------------------------- =
(x² - 2x)(x² + 4x + 4)

It also works in the LSC Course Connect (D2L) email!

Other Text Conventions Include the Following:

3*4 means 3• 4 or 3 times 4.

5/8 means 5÷8

SQRT(9) means the square root of 9

As a rule, use PLENTY OF PARENTHESES! For example, type in (x+2) divided by (x-3) as (x+2)/(x-3), NOT x+2/x-3 !

Submitting Work to The Dropbox

Formats of files that I can open include Text (.txt), Word (.rtf or .doc), HTML(.html), Graphics (.gif or .jpg),or PDF(.pdf)

LSC no longer supports WordPerfect and most computers (including my newer home computer) do not have Works. So don't submit WordPerfect or Works files!

You Can Use ANY Program You Want If You Print to PDF (Even a MAC Program!)

You can use any program you want if you convert your file to a PDF file. To do this, download and install a free pdf creator at http://www.cutepdf.com/ or http://www.pdf995.com/download.html - I have personally downloaded products from both these companies. After you create your document, print to the PDF file (choose this as your printer) and you will then be able to create a PDF file of your work - it is much like a scan or copy of your work, except the file size is MUCH smaller.

Scanning My Work?

Yes, you can do this, but if you do, please try to get all work on one page and then print the jpg or gif image file to PDF. You can also submit the work as a jpg or gif file but if the file size is over 1MB it can take a while to open. Printing to PDF reduces the file size.