Blackroses216

Hey. When I start out in college (engineering) I will be taking a lot of notes on my laptop. Is there a specific program/computer that can type math related notes? like integrals and limits? I know character map can probably get things like pi and a few other things.. but what about the harder notation?

Thanks.

hebrewhammer

For most engineering/math classes it's significantly simpler and easier to take notes using pencil/paper unless you have a touch screen. As far as I can tell, pretty much everyone in my classes takes notes on paper, and the one time I saw someone using a computer he had a touch screen.

Blackroses216

The reason I ask is because it's neater to review when they're typed and I am extremely slow at writing while I'm pretty fast at typing. With the massive amount of notes in a college course, I would want to be more productive. When you say touch tablet, do you mean he typed up all his notes and when he got to those weird symbols he used the computer pen to add them in? Or did he "hand write" everything?

If it isn't already made, someone really should create a program that allows you to type intergrals, limits, etc. in a word document..

ThisCouldBeHeavn

LaTeX

LaTeX project: LaTeX – A document preparation system

You'll have to learn the program really well to take notes in it though, and you still won't be able to draw the graphs and drawings you'll need. If you want your notes on your laptop, handwriting on a tablet is the best option. You'll also be able to type for the few non-math/sci courses you take.

michuncle

Re equations on a laptop:

If you have a recent copy of Word, you have an equation editor,
See: Creating Mathematics with Microsoft Word Software - Written by and Images Created by Steve Simonds - Portland Community College

Typically, the equation editor is not loaded with the standard installation of Word. You need to use the “customized “installation of Word and select the equation editor.

There is the typesetting program LaTeX.
See: LaTeX project: LaTeX – A document preparation system

You’ll need to type in the LaTeX code to create math formulas. For a beginning student, you’re better off just using pencil and paper.

If you have a Tablet PC (where you can write on the screen using a stylus), you can write out your equation using the Mathjournal program from Xthink.
See: xThink

Unlike Word’s equation editor or LaTeX, the Mathjournal program allows you to write down your math problems on the screen of your Tablet PC and, by selecting the solution button, gives you the answer. When you’re done with your assignment, you can output your work in either the LaTeX or Mathjournal’s Mathml format for that text book printed look.

Blackroses216

I'm actually pretty sure I don't want a tablet though. Although it would help with the math/ science notes, they tend to be a lot slower/ not have some other important properties.

Is there any program I can install that just makes ur computer have them programed in? Like If I were to type shift k, I'd get the integral sign and then be able to enter in the limits?

If not, someone should make a program for this..

michuncle

The link I provided for Word’s equation editor provided a list of the shortcut keys for creating math symbols. Did you not read it?

LaTeX also has macro functions. The learning curve is steep. Unless you’re doing math 24/7, the time learning the code just isn’t worth the time and effort.

See: Fastest way to type in LaTeX? Text - Physics Forums Library

Convertible Tablet PCs have a regular keyboard, fast processors, large hard drives and built in optical drives. You can type notes in your non-science/math classes and use the Tablet functionality for math, science and engineering.

silence_kit

learn LaTeX if the idea of getting a tablet bothers you that much. who cares if your laptop can't play the newest video game.

srunni

LaTeX is the way to go. Other software just doesn't even come close to matching its capabilities.

excelblue

LaTeX. The main problem is just the learning curve. Note that it'd be much faster to type in: \int_a^b x^2 dx, than [Ctrl + K] (fumble with mouse) a (fumble with mouse) b. Not to mention, if you use stuff with Ctrl/Alt key combinations, you can only do so many symbols. With the right packages (eg. tikz), you can even easily do diagrams.

The main thing is that you need to get the hang of it and then get really fast at typing. It's comparable to learning real shorthand or morse code. If you don't type at least 90WPM and still breeze through symbols, then stick with the good old paper/pen method. If you took notes, you attended lecture, and you've got the lesson. The notes are suppose to work as a reminder, not as a replacement for the lecture. Most of your energy should be focused towards absorbing the material instead of transcribing it. After all, if you really forget something, the textbook is often better than any notes you took.