How to Input Mathematical Symbol on the Messageboard

The Math Messageboard allows you to place some mathematical symbols and notation in your postings and replies.

A variety of symbols are available for use. Click below to see the list of supported symbols:

Greek Letters:
Symbols:
Calculus:

To use these symbols in your posting, just type the symbol name enclosed in brackets.

For example, typing

cos [pi]/2 = [sqrt](2) / 2
(the tags have been highlighted for clarity) produces this on the posting viewed by everyone else:
cos /2 = (2) / 2
Here's a more complicated example:
lim [sum] f([Xi]) [delta]x = [integral] f(x) dx
which produces
lim f() x = f(x) dx
One special note on using the Greek letters: use uppercase letters to get the uppercase version and lowercase letters to get the lower case version:
[pi] or [PI], [delta] or [DELTA] ?
produces
or , or ?
Superscipts (or powers) can be made by enclosing the text with the <sup> and </sup> HTML tags. Similarly, subscripts can be made by enclosing the text with <sub> and </sub> tags:
a<sub>k</sub>k <sup>2</sup>
which produces
ak = k2
If you know HTML, you may use any HTML tags you wish, such as links, images, tables, and formatting; but if you abuse this for your own selfish ends, I will delete your posting.

(update, 2003-01) Note: this page is somewhat dated. Much of the content still applies; however, in addition to the features given above, MMB also supports a much more powerful LaTeX math syntax. LaTeX is a standard, widely used text notation for entering math notation on computers. This text notation can be rendered into high quality mathematical images. LaTeX notation can be embedding into MMB message by enclosing it inside pairs of \( and \) delimiters or between pairs of \[ and \] delimiters. The only difference between the two is that the former is used to place math notation inline to surrounding text, while the latter is used to set-off the math notation from surrounding text. Refer to one of the many resources on the web about the LaTeX math notation. If you see any LaTeX math notation used on one of the MMB messages and would like to know how the author inputted it, click on the "View Source" button on the bottom of the thread. Special note to LaTeX experts: only math mode is supported.