Basics Elementary Middle School High School University Advanced
How to Write Math Formulas

Wrap your formula with "$" (dollar signs) to display it.
Example: Writing $1+1=2$ displays as $1+1=2$.

Table of Contents

Basic Arithmetic

Addition
Code:
$3 + 5 = 8$
Display:
$3 + 5 = 8$
Subtraction
Code:
$10 - 4 = 6$
Display:
$10 - 4 = 6$
Multiplication (using ×)
Code:
$6 \times 7 = 42$
Display:
$6 \times 7 = 42$
Multiplication (using ·)
Code:
$8 \cdot 9 = 72$
Display:
$8 \cdot 9 = 72$
Division
Code:
$20 \div 5 = 4$
Display:
$20 \div 5 = 4$

Fractions

One Half
Code:
$\frac{1}{2}$
Display:
$\frac{1}{2}$
Three Quarters
Code:
$\frac{3}{4}$
Display:
$\frac{3}{4}$
Adding Fractions
Code:
$\frac{1}{3} + \frac{2}{3} = 1$
Display:
$\frac{1}{3} + \frac{2}{3} = 1$
Mixed Numbers
Code:
$2\frac{1}{4}$
Display:
$2\frac{1}{4}$

Shape Formulas

Area of Rectangle
Code:
Area = Length $\times$ Width
Display:
Area = Length $\times$ Width
Area of Triangle
Code:
Area = Base $\times$ Height $\div$ 2
Display:
Area = Base $\times$ Height $\div$ 2
Area of Circle
Code:
Area = Radius $\times$ Radius $\times$ 3.14
Display:
Area = Radius $\times$ Radius $\times$ 3.14
Circumference
Code:
Circumference = Diameter $\times$ 3.14
Display:
Circumference = Diameter $\times$ 3.14

Writing Units

Length (Centimeters)
Code:
$15 \text{cm}$
Display:
$15 \text{cm}$
Weight (Grams)
Code:
$500 \text{g}$
Display:
$500 \text{g}$
Area (Square Centimeters)
Code:
$25 \text{cm}^2$
Display:
$25 \text{cm}^2$
Volume (Cubic Centimeters)
Code:
$100 \text{cm}^3$
Display:
$100 \text{cm}^3$

Common Symbols

Equals
Code:
$5 + 5 = 10$
Display:
$5 + 5 = 10$
Greater Than
Code:
$10 > 5$
Display:
$10 > 5$
Less Than
Code:
$3 < 7$
Display:
$3 < 7$
Greater Than or Equal To
Code:
$x \geq 5$
Display:
$x \geq 5$
Less Than or Equal To
Code:
$y \leq 10$
Display:
$y \leq 10$

Decimal Calculations

Adding Decimals
Code:
$0.5 + 0.3 = 0.8$
Display:
$0.5 + 0.3 = 0.8$
Subtracting Decimals
Code:
$1.2 - 0.7 = 0.5$
Display:
$1.2 - 0.7 = 0.5$
Multiplying Decimals
Code:
$2.5 \times 4 = 10$
Display:
$2.5 \times 4 = 10$

Percentages and Averages

Percentage
Code:
$50\% = \frac{1}{2}$
Display:
$50\% = \frac{1}{2}$
25 Percent
Code:
$25\% = \frac{1}{4}$
Display:
$25\% = \frac{1}{4}$
Calculating Average
Code:
$(5 + 7 + 9) \div 3 = 7$
Display:
$(5 + 7 + 9) \div 3 = 7$

Other Shapes and Formulas

Area of Trapezoid
Code:
Area $= ($ Top Base $+$ Bottom Base $) \times$ Height $\div 2$
Display:
Area $= ($ Top Base $+$ Bottom Base $) \times$ Height $\div 2$
Speed Formula
Code:
Speed $=$ Distance $\div$ Time
Display:
Speed $=$ Distance $\div$ Time
Angle Notation
Code:
$90^\circ, 180^\circ, 360^\circ$
Display:
$90^\circ, 180^\circ, 360^\circ$

Ratios

Writing Ratios
Code:
$3 : 5$
Display:
$3 : 5$
Ratio Value
Code:
The ratio value of $3 : 5$ is $\frac{3}{5}$
Display:
The ratio value of $3 : 5$ is $\frac{3}{5}$
Equivalent Ratios
Code:
$2 : 3 = 4 : 6 = 6 : 9$
Display:
$2 : 3 = 4 : 6 = 6 : 9$
Simplifying Ratios
Code:
$12 : 18 = 2 : 3$
Display:
$12 : 18 = 2 : 3$
Proportional Distribution
Code:
Dividing $\$300$ in the ratio $2 : 3$ gives $\$120$ and $\$180$
Display:
Dividing $\$300$ in the ratio $2 : 3$ gives $\$120$ and $\$180$

Volume of Solids (Grade 5-6)

Volume of Rectangular Prism
Code:
Volume $=$ Length $\times$ Width $\times$ Height
Display:
Volume $=$ Length $\times$ Width $\times$ Height
Volume of Cube
Code:
Volume $=$ Side $\times$ Side $\times$ Side
Display:
Volume $=$ Side $\times$ Side $\times$ Side
Volume of Prism
Code:
Volume $=$ Base Area $\times$ Height
Display:
Volume $=$ Base Area $\times$ Height
Volume of Cylinder
Code:
Volume $=$ Radius $\times$ Radius $\times$ 3.14 $\times$ Height
Display:
Volume $=$ Radius $\times$ Radius $\times$ 3.14 $\times$ Height

More Shape Areas (Grade 5-6)

Area of Parallelogram
Code:
Area $=$ Base $\times$ Height
Display:
Area $=$ Base $\times$ Height
Area of Rhombus
Code:
Area $=$ Diagonal $\times$ Diagonal $\div 2$
Display:
Area $=$ Diagonal $\times$ Diagonal $\div 2$
Arc Length of Sector
Code:
Arc Length $=$ Diameter $\times$ 3.14 $\times \frac{\text{Central Angle}}{360}$
Display:
Arc Length $=$ Diameter $\times$ 3.14 $\times \frac{\text{Central Angle}}{360}$
Area of Sector
Code:
Area $=$ Radius $\times$ Radius $\times$ 3.14 $\times \frac{\text{Central Angle}}{360}$
Display:
Area $=$ Radius $\times$ Radius $\times$ 3.14 $\times \frac{\text{Central Angle}}{360}$
Area of Square
Code:
Area $=$ Side $\times$ Side
Display:
Area $=$ Side $\times$ Side

Speed, Time, Distance (Grade 6)

Finding Speed
Code:
Speed $=$ Distance $\div$ Time
Display:
Speed $=$ Distance $\div$ Time
Finding Distance
Code:
Distance $=$ Speed $\times$ Time
Display:
Distance $=$ Speed $\times$ Time
Finding Time
Code:
Time $=$ Distance $\div$ Speed
Display:
Time $=$ Distance $\div$ Speed
Speed Units
Code:
$60 \text{km/h}$, $80 \text{m/min}$, $5 \text{m/s}$
Display:
$60 \text{km/h}$, $80 \text{m/min}$, $5 \text{m/s}$

Rates and Proportions (Grade 5)

Finding Rate
Code:
Rate $=$ Compared Amount $\div$ Base Amount
Display:
Rate $=$ Compared Amount $\div$ Base Amount
Finding Compared Amount
Code:
Compared Amount $=$ Base Amount $\times$ Rate
Display:
Compared Amount $=$ Base Amount $\times$ Rate
Finding Base Amount
Code:
Base Amount $=$ Compared Amount $\div$ Rate
Display:
Base Amount $=$ Compared Amount $\div$ Rate
Decimal and Percent Conversion
Code:
$0.35 = 35\%$
Display:
$0.35 = 35\%$
Discount Calculation
Code:
$20\%$ off price $=$ Original $\times (1 - 0.2) =$ Original $\times 0.8$
Display:
$20\%$ off price $=$ Original $\times (1 - 0.2) =$ Original $\times 0.8$

Factors and Multiples (Grade 5)

Factors Example
Code:
Factors of $12$: $1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12$
Display:
Factors of $12$: $1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12$
Multiples Example
Code:
Multiples of $3$: $3, 6, 9, 12, 15, \ldots$
Display:
Multiples of $3$: $3, 6, 9, 12, 15, \ldots$
Greatest Common Factor (GCF)
Code:
GCF of $12$ and $18$ is $6$
Display:
GCF of $12$ and $18$ is $6$
Least Common Multiple (LCM)
Code:
LCM of $4$ and $6$ is $12$
Display:
LCM of $4$ and $6$ is $12$
Prime Numbers
Code:
Prime numbers: $2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, \ldots$
Display:
Prime numbers: $2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, \ldots$
Common Factors
Code:
Common factors of $8$ and $12$: $1, 2, 4$ (GCF is $4$)
Display:
Common factors of $8$ and $12$: $1, 2, 4$ (GCF is $4$)

Fraction Multiplication and Division (Grade 6)

Multiplying Fractions
Code:
$\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{3}{4} = \frac{2 \times 3}{3 \times 4} = \frac{6}{12} = \frac{1}{2}$
Display:
$\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{3}{4} = \frac{2 \times 3}{3 \times 4} = \frac{6}{12} = \frac{1}{2}$
Dividing Fractions
Code:
$\frac{3}{4} \div \frac{2}{5} = \frac{3}{4} \times \frac{5}{2} = \frac{15}{8}$
Display:
$\frac{3}{4} \div \frac{2}{5} = \frac{3}{4} \times \frac{5}{2} = \frac{15}{8}$
Reciprocal
Code:
The reciprocal of $\frac{3}{4}$ is $\frac{4}{3}$
Display:
The reciprocal of $\frac{3}{4}$ is $\frac{4}{3}$
Multiplying Fraction by Whole Number
Code:
$\frac{2}{5} \times 3 = \frac{2 \times 3}{5} = \frac{6}{5}$
Display:
$\frac{2}{5} \times 3 = \frac{2 \times 3}{5} = \frac{6}{5}$
Finding Common Denominator
Code:
$\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{4}{12} + \frac{3}{12} = \frac{7}{12}$
Display:
$\frac{1}{3} + \frac{1}{4} = \frac{4}{12} + \frac{3}{12} = \frac{7}{12}$
Simplifying Fractions
Code:
$\frac{12}{18} = \frac{12 \div 6}{18 \div 6} = \frac{2}{3}$
Display:
$\frac{12}{18} = \frac{12 \div 6}{18 \div 6} = \frac{2}{3}$

More Units (Grade 1-6)

Length Units
Code:
$1 \text{km} = 1000 \text{m}$, $1 \text{m} = 100 \text{cm}$, $1 \text{cm} = 10 \text{mm}$
Display:
$1 \text{km} = 1000 \text{m}$, $1 \text{m} = 100 \text{cm}$, $1 \text{cm} = 10 \text{mm}$
Weight Units
Code:
$1 \text{kg} = 1000 \text{g}$, $1 \text{t} = 1000 \text{kg}$
Display:
$1 \text{kg} = 1000 \text{g}$, $1 \text{t} = 1000 \text{kg}$
Capacity Units
Code:
$1 \text{L} = 10 \text{dL} = 1000 \text{mL}$
Display:
$1 \text{L} = 10 \text{dL} = 1000 \text{mL}$
Area Units
Code:
$1 \text{km}^2 = 100 \text{ha}$, $1 \text{ha} = 100 \text{a}$, $1 \text{a} = 100 \text{m}^2$
Display:
$1 \text{km}^2 = 100 \text{ha}$, $1 \text{ha} = 100 \text{a}$, $1 \text{a} = 100 \text{m}^2$
Time Units
Code:
$1$ hour $= 60$ minutes, $1$ minute $= 60$ seconds
Display:
$1$ hour $= 60$ minutes, $1$ minute $= 60$ seconds
Volume Unit Relationships
Code:
$1 \text{L} = 1000 \text{cm}^3$, $1 \text{mL} = 1 \text{cm}^3$
Display:
$1 \text{L} = 1000 \text{cm}^3$, $1 \text{mL} = 1 \text{cm}^3$

Rounding Numbers (Grade 4)

Rounding
Code:
$3456$ rounded to the nearest hundred is $3500$
Display:
$3456$ rounded to the nearest hundred is $3500$
Rounding Up
Code:
$123$ rounded up to the nearest hundred is $200$
Display:
$123$ rounded up to the nearest hundred is $200$
Rounding Down
Code:
$789$ rounded down to the nearest hundred is $700$
Display:
$789$ rounded down to the nearest hundred is $700$
Approximately
Code:
About $500$ people or $\approx 500$ people
Display:
About $500$ people or $\approx 500$ people
Range Notation
Code:
$350$ or more and less than $450$ → $350 \leq x < 450$
Display:
$350$ or more and less than $450$ → $350 \leq x < 450$

Usage Examples in Reading Notes

Example 1: Math Problem
Code:
p.45 problem: There are $12$ apples. $\frac{1}{3}$ were eaten. How many remain? Answer: $12 \times \frac{2}{3} = 8$ apples
Display:
p.45 problem: There are $12$ apples. $\frac{1}{3}$ were eaten. How many remain? Answer: $12 \times \frac{2}{3} = 8$ apples
Example 2: Shape Problem
Code:
When the circle's radius is $5 \text{cm}$, the area is $5 \times 5 \times 3.14 = 78.5 \text{cm}^2$
Display:
When the circle's radius is $5 \text{cm}$, the area is $5 \times 5 \times 3.14 = 78.5 \text{cm}^2$
Example 3: Speed Problem
Code:
At $60 \text{km/h}$ for $2$ hours, distance is $60 \times 2 = 120 \text{km}$
Display:
At $60 \text{km/h}$ for $2$ hours, distance is $60 \times 2 = 120 \text{km}$
Example 4: Discount Problem
Code:
$20\%$ off of $\$1000$ is $1000 \times 0.8 = \$800$
Display:
$20\%$ off of $\$1000$ is $1000 \times 0.8 = \$800$
Tips
  • Always wrap formulas with $ (dollar signs)
  • Special symbols often require \ (backslash) before them
  • Example: \times displays as ×
  • Spacing is adjusted automatically, so don't worry about it