Using the Equation Editor

The Equation Editor allows you to enter static and dynamic equations into your questions and prefaces by using the palettes of equation elements. You can also paste MathML equations into the editor.

The window is split into two main areas: a tabbed toolbar that contains equation elements, and an editing area where you can build and edit your equation. The toolbar contains the following tabs which contain sets of different equation elements:

• General
• Symbols
• Arrows
• Greek Symbols and Numbers
• Matrices
• Scripts and Layout
• Decorations
• Big Operators
• Calculus
• Contextual

The Contextual tab provides additional formatting options for tables, matrices, and multi-line equations. The Contextual tab is disabled until your cursor is in an element that has additional tools. It will turn red when your cursor is in an element that has additional tools.

To create an equation:

1. In a question or preface, place the cursor in the location where you want your equation to appear.

2. Click the Insert Equation button or choose Insert Equation from the Insert menu.

3. Select an element from the toolbar.

4. Enter text or numbers into the workplace.

5. Repeat steps 3-4 until you have entered all the elements of the equation. You can use the mouse or arrow keys to navigate within an equation.
   
   Note: By default, text is italicized. If you do not want the text italicized, click the Automatic italic button    to disable it.

6. Click OK to insert the equation into the question/preface.

Equation Scaling

Mathematical operations can be nested, so equations can contain elements within elements. Many symbols expand to match the size of their contents such as square root elements. Parentheses also will scale if you insert them using the elements on the General tab. If you do not want parentheses to scale, then enter them with the keyboard.

Equation Smart Delete

The equation editor allows you to delete text and numbers within an element as well as the entire element. How the Delete and Backspace keys operate depend on where your cursor is. If you cursor is inside an element, next to a number or character, pressing Delete will delete the character or number to the right of the cursor.

If your cursor is outside the element, the element to the right of your cursor will be selected if you press Delete or the element to left will be selected if you press Backspace. When the element is highlighted, if you press Delete or Backspace a second time, the entire element and everything within it will be deleted.

Equation Key Combinations

Below are some addition key combinations.

Formatting Equation Text

By default, the equation inherits the font of the question or preface. You can change the formatting of the text on the General tab.

The formatting options include:

	Bold
	Italic
	Automatic italic	Selected by default, this automatically italicized text while keeping numbers as plain text. For example: 2a. Recognized abbreviations (sin, cos, tan, log, ln, csc, sec, cot) will appear as plain text if inserted as elements or typed manually.
	Color
	Regular text	Used to enter plain text into an equation. When entering an algorithmic variable into the equation, place your cursor where you want the variable and then click the Regular Text button. Then, enter the variable name with two pounds signs to the left and right of the name. For example: ##var1##.
	Right to left orientation	By default, the equations are left aligned. Click this button to right align the equation.
	Arabic ligature
	Font family
	Font size

Dynamic Equations

In addition to static equations, you can create dynamic equations that can be recalculated by adding algorithmic variables into the equation.

To create a dynamic equation:

1. Create the variable in the Test Generator.

2. In the Equation Editor, select an element from the toolbar to insert it into the equation.

3. Place your cursor where you want to insert the variable in the equation.

4. Click the Regular text button   .

5. Enter the variable name with two pounds signs to the left and right of the name. For example: ##var1##.

6. When you have finished building your equation, click OK. 

7. The variable name will appear in the equation until the questions is saved or the variable is recalculated for the first time. To replace the variable name with the value of the variable, click Recalculate Variables from the Tools menu.

Copying Equations from Other Systems

The Equation Editor accepts MathML. So you can can paste content from any equation editor that exports MathML. If you are using LaTeX, you must first convert the LaTeX equation to MathML. There a many online tools that allow you to convert LaTeX to MathML.

To copy an equation from Microsoft Word, be sure that the Copy MathML to the clipboard as plain text option is selected. To access this option, select the Conversions menu when in an equation and then select the Copy MathML to the clipboard as plain text option in the Equations Options dialog box.