Mathematical Wordprocessing
Here is a quick guide to some of the methods of preparing high-quality text
involving mathematics.
Formats
- DOC/DOCX
-
The proprietary format used by Word. Most people have it, and there are
free viewers for most operating systems.
-
Be warned that figures and mathematics often fail to show up properly in
files created in Word but read using other software, including OpenOffice.
When sharing electronic documents, it is your responsibility
to ensure that they are readable; the only reliable way to accomplish this
goal is to convert to PDF.
- RTF
-
The Rich Text Format is compatible with Word as well as numerous other
wordprocessing programs. Folks who don't use Word often have no trouble
with RTF.
- PostScript
-
Adobe's original typesetting language. Easily generated by TeX, and by many
graphics programs, including Maple and Mathematica. Can often be generated
simply by using a PS printer driver and printing to a file.
- PDF
-
Essentially a compressed replacement for PostScript. Requires a commercial
converter from most formats, although it is easy to convert PostScript to
PDF using freeware. The widespread availablity of Adobe Acrobat Reader
makes this the most portable format for sharing mathematical text online.
- HTML
-
The language of the web. MathJax can
be used to generate high-quality online mathematics.
Software
All of the software discussed below is available in the computer lab in the
MLC in Kidder Hall.
- $\boldsymbol{\LaTeX}$
-
Developed by a mathematician, this is the gold standard for mathematical
typesetting. The learning curve can be steep, however, as it is essentially
a programming language. There are several frontends which are easy to use,
including a good online interface at
Overleaf,
but, whereas $\LaTeX$ itself is free, many of the frontends are not.
However, if you plan to be a mathematician, you should learn to use $\LaTeX$
at some point.
-
Advantages:
total control over format; easy to convert to PDF; completely portable
-
Disadvantages:
steep learning curve; not WYSIWYG
- Word
-
Word handles simple mathematics quite well, and complex mathematics with a
little patience.
-
Advantages:
widely available; easy to use; WYSIWYG
-
Disadvantages:
math formatted as objects, not text;
proprietary format;
not really portable.
- Maple
-
Really a computer algebra system, but sessions can contain formatted text as
well.
-
Advantages:
export as TeX, HTML, and RTF
-
Disadvantages:
not widely available; somewhat cumbersome for text
- Mathematica
-
Really a computer algebra system, but sessions can contain formatted text as
well.
-
Advantages:
export as TeX, HTML
-
Disadvantages:
not widely available; somewhat cumbersome for text
Images
- SVG
-
The current gold standard for images. Rescales smoothly; can be displayed
by most modern browsers; converts easily to PDF. Some programs can export
to SVG, which can also be created/edited directly with
Inkscape.
- GIF
-
Useful for simple drawings; uses lossless compression. Can be displayed by
all browsers.
- PNG
-
Open-source alternative to GIF. Can be displayed by all browsers, and can
be easily incorporated into $\LaTeX$ documents.
- JPG
-
Best for photos, but uses lossy compression. Can be displayed by all
browsers, and can be easily incorporated into $\LaTeX$ documents.
- EPS
-
Essentially the same as PostScript. Can be converted easily to PDF, which
is usually better.
- PDF
-
Not usually the best format for creating/editing images, but most graphics
programs can output images in this format. Most browsers can display it,
and $\LaTeX$ can incorporate it.
Other formats should be avoided if possible, especially bitmap formats.
If necessary, convert them to PDF