Know any public domain package for writing math diagrams/expressions?

R

Richard Lionheart

Hi,

I'm trying to write math problems to be sent to my 7th-grader grandson via
email. I'm running WinXP-Pro/SP2 and MS Office Pro 2003. I'd like to find
something more suitable for my purposes without spending the kind of money
it takes to get a professional package, like Mathematica for Students at
$139.

For diagrams, I'd like to draw Bezier curves, color line segments, etc.
For expressions, I'd like to use integration and differentiation symbols
(including partial), nested square-root symbols to a reasonable depth.

Any suggestions? Is this off-topic for this NG? Is there a better way to
search for this?
 
J

Jezebel

The equation editor does everything you need for the expressions, and you
already have that. Diagrams are trickier. The Draw options from the drawing
menu might be enough (the curves are bezier, at least, and you can color
your lines...)

You can also create graphics in Excel (eg by entering numbers then plotting
them), then importing them to Word.
 
R

Richard Lionheart

Hi Jezebel,

I like your "email address"!
The equation editor does everything you need for the expressions, and you
already have that.
Click to expand...

I was somewhat of posting this before Googling to see what's out there. But
your reply justified my posting here. Now that you mention it, I realize
that equation editor is what I'm missing, e.g. it doesn't show up in View |
Toolbars. So I'll pop my installation disk in and see if I can remedy that.
Diagrams are trickier. ... but, at least, and you can color your lines
Click to expand...
That's a problem I posted another message about on this NG, but got no
response for, so far.
You can also create graphics in Excel (eg by entering numbers then
plotting them), then importing them to Word.
Click to expand...
I'll check that out. Thanks.

BTW, I did turn up GraphViz, at K:\_Utilities\Graphics\GraphViz, which
looks interesting. I also found a drawing program, but it wasn't in line
with my wishes. After I get Eq. Ed. installed, I'll go back and hunt for
more.
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

The Equation Editor is not installed by default. If you do not find
Microsoft Equation 3.0 in Insert | Object, you can install EE as follows:

Go to Control Panel | Add/Remove Programs, select Microsoft Office, and
click the Change button. In the first page, select "Add or Remove Features."
On the next page, expand "Office Tools." Select Equation Editor and set it
to "Run from My Computer." Click the Update button, and insert the Office CD
when prompted.
 
R

Richard Lionheart

Hi Suzanne

You're wonderful. I've used Equation Editor a long time ago, so long ago
that I forgot its name. And I certainly forgot how to access it. It's
great to find it again (I didn't need Add/Remove anything!)

Best wishes,
Richard Muller ([email protected])
[Seems like an ironic email address in light of my apparent stupidity :)]
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

If you'll be using it often, open Tools | Customize, find Equation in the
Insert category and drag it to a toolbar.
 
R

Richard Lionheart

Thanks, Suzanne,
If you'll be using it often, open Tools | Customize,
find Equation in the Insert category and drag it to a toolbar.
Click to expand...

That's a real convenience.

As an aside, I didn't see "Equation" anywhere until I finally got my cursor
out of a drawing element.

Best wishes,
Richard
 
R

Richard Lionheart

One more thing, Suzanne:
If you'll be using it often, open Tools | Customize, find Equation in the
Insert category and drag it to a toolbar.
Click to expand...

I used your advice successfully the other day. Today, I went to update my
activities log with your "how to". It again took me a few stabs to be able
to add the Equations Editor icon to a toolbar. So I took the liberty of
editing your advice as follows:

Open Tools | Customize | Commands tab | Insert in the Categories list, and
find Equation Editor in the Commands list; drag its icon to a toolbar

As a Word MVP, you may find this edited version helpful.

Yours truly,
Richard
 
S

Suzanne S. Barnhill

As an MVP, I write this type of instruction multiple times a day. Sometimes
I don't include every step, assuming that users have enough sense to figure
it out.
 
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