Calculator Notation for Email

This guide is intended to help with math expressions and syntax for communicating math via e-mail. It is based on notation in Texas Instruments calculators and notation in other symbolic calculators (and may contain expressions not found on your calculator).

Operation or Relation

"Calculator" Notation

Math Notation (if different)

addition, subtraction

x + y, a - 2,

x - z + 2

  

multiplication

2*x

3*a*y

2x

3ay

division

a/b

powers

3^5 , e^x, x^(2/3)

, ,

square root

sqrt(2), 2^(1/2), 2^(0.5)

famous constants

Pi

inf, infinity

p

¥

less than

a < b

  

greater than

a > b

  

less than or equal

a <= b

greater than or equal

a >= b

combinations

a/(b + c)

 

a/b+c

 

a/(b*c)

 

a/b*c

poor syntax, don't use (what will your calculator give?)

derivative

Dy

dy/dx

y'

(d/dx)y

derivative of f(x)

Df(x)

f'(x)

D(x^2 + 2/x - ln(x))

(the prime may not show or may be ugly)

Some functions:

abs(x) = |x|

exp(x)

sin(x)

|x|

indefinite integral

int(f(x))dx

int(x^3 + x*exp(x))dx

definite integral

int(f(x),x=a,x=b)

int(2/x^2,x=1,x=10)

Summation notation

sum(2^(-n),n=0,n=20)

 

An alternative way to communicate mathematical questions.

Use Microsoft Word. When you want to write mathematical symbols, use the Equation Editor. Then attach the Word document to your e-mail.

You can put Equation Editor on the tool bar as follows. Right click the menu bar. In the Customize box that appears, look for Insert in the left pane and click it. Scroll down in the right pane till you find Equation Editor. Then drag the equation editor to the tool bar. When you want to use it, click on it to insert an equation. (You can also give it a keystroke startup key when the customize box is open.)

After you have clicked on the Equation Editor icon, a small palette of symbols will appear. Select the one you want and fill in the blanks, using your mouse to position the cursor. There are shortcuts, see Help in the Equation Editor.

For questions about this page, email Professor Scheick at scheick@math.unc.edu.