LibreOffice 4.

0
Math Guide
The LibreOffice Equation Editor
Copyright
This document is Copyright 20112013 by its contributors as listed below. You may distribute it
and/or modify it under the terms of either the !" eneral #ublic $icense
%http&//www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html'( )ersion 3 or later( or the Creati)e Commons *ttribution
$icense %http&//creati)ecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/'( )ersion 3.0 or later.
*ll trademar+s within this guide belong to their legitimate owners.
Contributors
,ean -ollis .eber -a/el 0ussman $aurent 1alland2#oirier
Feedback
#lease direct any comments or suggestions about this document to&
documentation3global.libreoffice.org
Acknowledgments
This guide is adapted and updated from the OpenOffice.org 3.3 Math Guide. The contributors to
that boo+ are&
4aniel Carrera *gnes 1el/unce T, 5ra/ier
#eter 6upfer 7an $aurenson ,anet 8. 9wisher
,ean -ollis .eber 8ichele :arri
*dditional material has been added from the erman Math Handbuch for $ibre;ffice 3.<
%translated to =nglish by -a/el 0ussman'. Contributors to that boo+ are&
0egina -enschel Christian 6>hl 5lorian 0eisinger
isbert 5riege %4maths' ,ochen 9chiffers
*dditional material has been added from the 5rench How-To Math for $ibre;ffice %translated to
=nglish by $aurent 1alland2#oirier'. Contributors to that boo+ are&
1ernard 9iaud 5r?d?ric #arrenin
Publication date and software version
#ublished 3 ,uly 2013. 1ased on $ibre;ffice <.0.<.
Documentation for LibreOffice is aai!ab!e at http"##www.!ibreoffice.org#get-he!p#documentation
Contents
Copyright.............................................................................................................................. 2
Contributors................................................................................................................................. 2
5eedbac+..................................................................................................................................... 2
*c+nowledgments........................................................................................................................ 2
#ublication date and software )ersion......................................................................................... 2
Preface.................................................................................................................................. 6
.ho is this boo+ for@................................................................................................................... A
.here to get more help............................................................................................................... A
.hat you see may be different.................................................................................................... B
.hat are all these things called@................................................................................................. C
"sing $ibre;ffice on a 8ac.......................................................................................................... D
.ho wrote this boo+@.................................................................................................................. D
5reEuently as+ed Euestions......................................................................................................... D
What is ath!..................................................................................................................... ""
#etting started.................................................................................................................... ""
Creating an eEuation as a separate document........................................................................... 11
7nserting a formula into a .riter document................................................................................ 12
$ntering a formula............................................................................................................. "%
The =lements window................................................................................................................ 13
0ight2clic+ %conteFt' menu......................................................................................................... 1G
8ar+up....................................................................................................................................... 1G
ree+ characters....................................................................................................................... 1A
Changing a formula........................................................................................................... "&
Choosing the region to alter....................................................................................................... 1C
Carrying out changes................................................................................................................. 1C
Formula layout................................................................................................................... "'
1rac+ets are your friends........................................................................................................... 1D
1rac+ets with matrices loo+ uglyH............................................................................................... 1D
7solated and unpaired brac+ets.................................................................................................. 20
0ecogni/ing functions in 8ath................................................................................................... 20
=Euations o)er more than one line............................................................................................ 21
-ow do 7 add limits to my sum/integral@..................................................................................... 21
-ow do 7 write a deri)ati)e@....................................................................................................... 22
8ar+up characters as regular characters................................................................................... 22
TeFt in a formula........................................................................................................................ 23
-ow do 7 align my eEuations at the eEuals sign@....................................................................... 23
Changing the appearance of formulas............................................................................ 2(
Changing the font si/e............................................................................................................... 2<
Changing the font...................................................................................................................... 2G
*dIusting spacing in formulas.................................................................................................... 2A
Changing the alignment............................................................................................................. 2C
LibreOffice $.% Math Guide 3
Changing the color..................................................................................................................... 2D
Formulas in Writer documents......................................................................................... 2'
!umbering eEuations................................................................................................................. 2D
#osition...................................................................................................................................... 31
8argins...................................................................................................................................... 31
TeFt mode.................................................................................................................................. 31
1ac+ground( borders( and si/e.................................................................................................. 31
Creating a formula library........................................................................................................... 32
5ast insertion of formulas........................................................................................................... 32
Formulas in Calc) *mpress) and +raw.............................................................................. %2
raphical properties.................................................................................................................. 32
Combining formulas with teFt..................................................................................................... 33
5ormulas in charts..................................................................................................................... 3<
Customi,ations.................................................................................................................. %(
5ormula editor as a floating window........................................................................................... 3<
*dd button to toolbar................................................................................................................. 3G
*dd +eyboard shortcut............................................................................................................... 3G
Customi/ing the catalog............................................................................................................. 3A
Customi/ing operators............................................................................................................... 3C
9pace at the end of a formula.................................................................................................... 3C
4efault layout with style............................................................................................................. 3D
*pplication to chemical formulas................................................................................................ <0
$-port and import.............................................................................................................. (.
=Fport as 8ath8$...................................................................................................................... <0
8icrosoft file formats.................................................................................................................. <2
J-T8$...................................................................................................................................... <3
5lat J8$.................................................................................................................................... <3
$-tensions.......................................................................................................................... (%
4maths an eFtension for more than Iust faster formula input.................................................. <3
9ymbolic computation with Cmath;;o and Cmath;;oC*9....................................................<G
/echnical details................................................................................................................ (0
;*979 ;pen 4ocument 5ormat for ;ffice applications..............................................................<G
-andling of formulas in 1asic.................................................................................................... <G
ath commands 1 2eference............................................................................................ (&
"nary / binary operators............................................................................................................ <C
0elations.................................................................................................................................... <D
9et operations............................................................................................................................ G0
5unctions................................................................................................................................... G1
;perators................................................................................................................................... G2
*ttributes................................................................................................................................... G3
1rac+ets..................................................................................................................................... G<
5ormats..................................................................................................................................... GA
;thers........................................................................................................................................ GB
$ LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
Characters ree+................................................................................................................... GC
Characters 9pecial.................................................................................................................. GC
0eser)ed words in alphabetic order........................................................................................... GD
*nde-.................................................................................................................................... 62
LibreOffice $.% Math Guide &
Preface
Who is this book for!
$ibre;ffice 8ath is an eEuation %formula' editor. *nyone who wants to get up to speed Euic+ly with
8ath will find this boo+ )aluable.
7f you ha)e ne)er used $ibre;ffice 8ath before( or you want an introduction to all of its
components( you might li+e to read Getting 'tarted with LibreOffice $.% first.
Where to get more help
This boo+( the other $ibre;ffice user guides( the built2in -elp system( and user support systems
assume that you are familiar with your computer and basic functions such as starting a program(
opening and sa)ing files.
Help system
$ibre;ffice comes with an eFtensi)e -elp system. This is your first line of support for using
$ibre;ffice.
To display the full -elp system( press () or go to 3elp 4 5ibre6ffice 3elp on the main menu bar.
7n addition( you can choose whether to acti)ate Tips( E*tended tips( and the He!p +gent by going
to /ools 4 6ptions 4 5ibre6ffice 4 #eneral on the main menu bar.
7f Tips are enabled( ho)er the mouse pointer o)er any of the icons to see a small boF %tooltip' with
a brief eFplanation of the iconKs function. 5or a more detailed eFplanation( select 3elp 4 What7s
/his! on the main menu bar and ho)er the pointer o)er the icon.
Free online support
The $ibre;ffice community not only de)elops software( but pro)ides free( )olunteer2based support.
9ee Table 1 and this web page& http&//www.libreoffice.org/get2help/
Tab!e )" (ree support for LibreOffice users
Free LibreOffice support
*s+ $ibre;ffice
Luestions and answers from the $ibre;ffice community
http&//as+.libreoffice.org/en/Euestions/
4ocumentation
"ser guides( how2tos( and other documentation.
http&//www.libreoffice.org/get2help/documentation/
https&//wi+i.documentfoundation.org/4ocumentation/#ublications
8ailing lists
5ree community support is pro)ided by a networ+ of eFperienced users
http&//www.libreoffice.org/get2help/mailing2lists/
5*Ls
*nswers to freEuently as+ed Euestions
http&//wi+i.documentfoundation.org/5aE
7nternational support
The $ibre;ffice website in your language.
http&//www.libreoffice.org/international2sites/
7nternational mailing lists
http&//wi+i.documentfoundation.org/$ocalM8ailingM$ists
*ccessibility options
7nformation about a)ailable accessibility options.
http&//www.libreoffice.org/get2help/accessibility/
, LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
You can get comprehensi)e online support from the community through mailing lists and the *s+
$ibre;ffice website( http&//as+.libreoffice.org/en/Euestions/. ;ther websites run by users also offer
free tips and tutorials. This forum pro)ides community support for $ibre;ffice&
http&//en.libreofficeforum.org/
This site pro)ides support for $ibre;ffice( among other programs&
http&//forum.openoffice.org/en/forum/
Paid support and training
*lternati)ely( you can pay for support ser)ices. 9er)ice contracts can be purchased from a )endor
or consulting firm speciali/ing in $ibre;ffice.
What you see may be different
$ibre;ffice runs on .indows( $inuF( and 8ac ;9 J operating systems( each of which has se)eral
)ersions and can be customi/ed by users %fonts( colors( themes( window managers'.
Illustrations
The illustrations in this guide were ta+en from a )ariety of computers and operating systems.
Therefore( some illustrations will not loo+ eFactly li+e what you see on your computer display.
*lso( some of the dialogs may be different because of the settings selected in $ibre;ffice. You can
either use dialogs from your computer system or dialogs pro)ided by $ibre;ffice %default'. To
change to using $ibre;ffice dialogs if settings ha)e been altered&
1' ;n $inuF and .indows operating systems( go to /ools 4 6ptions 45ibre6ffice 4 #eneral
on the main menu bar to open the dialog for general options.
2' ;n a 8ac operating system( go to 5ibre6ffice 4 Preferences 4 #eneral on the main
menu bar to open the dialog for general options.
3' 9elect -se LibreOffice dia!ogs in Open#'ae dia!ogs and/or( in $inuF or 8ac ;9J
operating systems only( .rint dia!ogs to display the $ibre;ffice dialogs on your computer
display.
<' Clic+ 68 to sa)e your settings and close the dialog.
Icons
The icons used to illustrate some of the many tools a)ailable in $ibre;ffice may differ from the
ones used in this guide. The icons in this guide ha)e been ta+en from a $ibre;ffice installation that
has been set to display the alaFy set of icons.
7f you wish( you can change your $ibre;ffice software pac+age to display alaFy icons as follows&
1' ;n $inuF and .indows operating systems( go to /ools 4 6ptions 45ibre6ffice 4 9iew on
the main menu bar to open the dialog for )iew options.
2' ;n a 8ac operating system( go to 5ibre6ffice 4 Preferences 4 9iew on the main menu
bar to open the dialog for )iew options.
3' 7n -ser interface / 0con si1e and st2!e select Ga!a*2 3defau!t4 from the options a)ailable in
the drop2down list.
<' Clic+ 68 to sa)e your settings and close the dialog.
:ote
9ome $inuF operating systems( for eFample "buntu( include $ibre;ffice as part of
the installation and may not include the alaFy icon set. You should be able to
download the alaFy icon set from the software repository for your $inuF operating
system.
.reface 5
What are all these things called!
The terms used in $ibre;ffice for most parts of the user interface %the parts of the program you see
and use( in contrast to the behind2the2scenes code that actually ma+es it wor+' are the same as for
most other programs.
* dia!og is a special type of window. 7ts purpose is to inform you of something( or reEuest input
from you( or both. 7t pro)ides controls for you to use to specify how to carry out an action. The
technical names for common controls are shown in 5igure 1. 7n most cases we do not use the
technical terms in this boo+( but it is useful to +now them because the -elp and other sources of
information often use them.
(igure )" Dia!og 3from 6a!c4 showing common contro!s
1' Tabbed page %not strictly spea+ing a control'.
2' 0adio buttons %only one can be selected at a time'.
3' Chec+boF %more than one can be selected at a time'.
<' 9pin boF %clic+ the up and down arrows to change the number shown in the teFt boF neFt to
it( or type in the teFt boF'.
G' Thumbnail or pre)iew.
A' 4rop2down list from which to select an item.
B' #ush buttons.
7n most cases( you can interact only with the dialog %not the document itself' as long as the dialog
remains open. .hen you close the dialog after use %usually( clic+ing 68 or another button sa)es
your changes and closes the dialog'( then you can again wor+ with your document.
9ome dialogs can be left open as you wor+( so you can switch bac+ and forth between the dialog
and your document. *n eFample of this type is the 5ind N 0eplace dialog.
7 LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
;sing 5ibre6ffice on a ac
9ome +eystro+es and menu items are different on a 8ac from those used in .indows and $inuF.
The table below gi)es some common substitutions for the instructions in this chapter. 5or a more
detailed list( see the application -elp.
indo!s or Linu" Mac e#ui$alent %ffect
/ools 4 6ptions menu
selection
5ibre6ffice 4 Preferences *ccess setup options
8ight-c!ic9 6ontro!:c!ic9 ;pens a conteFt menu
6tr! 36ontro!4 36ommand4 "sed with other +eys
(& 'hiftOO(& ;pens the !a)igator
()) OT ;pens the 9tyles and 5ormatting window
Who wrote this book!
This boo+ was written by )olunteers from the $ibre;ffice community( as listed on the Copyright
page. #rofits from sales of the printed edition will be used to benefit the community.
Fre<uently asked <uestions
3ow is 5ibre6ffice licensed!
$ibre;ffice is distributed under the ;pen 9ource 7nitiati)e %;97' appro)ed $esser eneral
#ublic $icense %$#$'. The $#$ license is a)ailable from the $ibre;ffice website&
http&//www.libreoffice.org/download/license/
ay * distribute 5ibre6ffice to anyone!
Yes.
3ow many computers may * install it on!
*s many as you li+e.
ay * sell it!
Yes.
ay * use 5ibre6ffice in my business!
Yes.
*s 5ibre6ffice available in my language!
$ibre;ffice has been translated %locali/ed' into o)er <0 languages( so your language probably
is supported. *dditionally( there are o)er B0 spe!!ing( h2phenation( and thesaurus dictionaries
a)ailable for languages( and dialects that do not ha)e a locali/ed program interface. The
dictionaries are a)ailable from the $ibre;ffice website at& www.libreoffice.org.
3ow can you make it for free!
$ibre;ffice is de)eloped and maintained by )olunteers and has the bac+ing of se)eral
organi/ations.
3ow can * contribute to 5ibre6ffice!
You can help with the de)elopment and user support of $ibre;ffice in many ways( and you do
not need to be a programmer. To start( chec+ out this webpage&
http&//www.documentfoundation.org/contribution/
.reface ;
ay * distribute the P+F of this book) or print and sell copies!
Yes( as long as you meet the reEuirements of one of the licenses in the copyright statement at
the beginning of this boo+. You do not ha)e to reEuest special permission. 7n addition( we
reEuest that you share with the proIect some of the profits you ma+e from sales of boo+s( in
consideration of all the wor+ we ha)e put into producing them.
)% LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
What is ath!
8ath is $ibre;fficeKs component for writing mathematical and chemical eEuations. 7t is most
commonly used as an eEuation editor for teFt documents( but it can also be used with other types
of documents or stand2alone. .hen used inside .riter( the eEuation is treated as an obIect inside
the teFt document.
:ote
The eEuation editor is for writing eEuations in symbolic form( as in eEuation 1. 7f you
want to e)aluate a numeric )alue( see the 6a!c Guide.
df (* )
d*
=ln( *)+tan
1
( *
2
) %1'
or
!-
3
+-
2
;!-
<
+
+;-

#etting started
You can create an eEuation %formula' as a separate document or insert it into a document in .riter
or another component of $ibre;ffice.
Creating an e<uation as a separate document
To create an eEuation as a separate document( open the 8ath component of $ibre;ffice using one
of these methods&
;n the menu bar( choose File 4 :ew 4 Formula.
;n the standard toolbar( clic+ the triangle to the left of the :ew icon and choose Formula.
5rom the 9tart Center( clic+ Formula.
*n empty formula document opens %see 5igure 2'.
(igure <" +n empt2 formu!a document
Getting started ))
The upper area is the pre)iew window( where the eEuation will appear during and after input. The
lower area is the eEuation editor( where the mar+up code for the eEuation is entered. The floating
=lements window will also appear.
*nserting a formula into a Writer document
To insert a formula into a .riter document( open the document and then choose *nsert 4 6b=ect 4
Formula from the menu bar.
The formula editor opens at the bottom of the .riter window( and the floating =lements window
appears. You will also see a small boF with a gray border in your document( where the formula will
be displayed( as shown in 5igure 3.
(igure 3" Equation Editor= E!ements window= and !ocation of resu!ting equation in >riter
/ip
7f the =lements window is missing( show it with 9iew 4 $lements.
.hen you are done entering the formula( you can close the editor by pressing the Esc +ey or by
clic+ing an area outside the formula in the main document. * double2clic+ will open the editor
again( so you can edit the formula.
5ormulas are inserted as ;$= obIects. 7n a .riter document( the formula is anchored as a
character( so it is embedded in the continuous teFt. You can( as with any other ;$= obIect( change
the anchor and ma+e the formula floating. 7n Calc( 7mpress( and 4raw documents( formulas are
embedded as floating ;$= obIects.
7f you freEuently need to insert formulas( it is ad)isable to add the 5ormula button to the 9tandard
toolbar or create a +eyboard shortcut. 9ee P*dd button to toolbarQ or P*dd +eyboard shortcutQ on
page 3G.
)< LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
$ntering a formula
The eEuation editor uses a mar+up language to represent formulas. 5or eFample( ?beta creates
the ree+ character beta % '. This mar+up is designed to read similar to =nglish whene)er
possible. 5or eFample( a oer b produces a fraction&
a
b
.
You can enter a formula in three ways&
9elect a symbol from the =lements window.
0ight2clic+ on the eEuation editor and select the symbol from the conteFt menu.
Type mar+up in the eEuation editor.
The conteFt menu and the =lements window insert the mar+up corresponding to a symbol. This
pro)ides a con)enient way to learn the $ibre;ffice 8ath mar+up.
:ote
Clic+ on the document body to eFit the formula editor.
4ouble2clic+ on a formula to enter the formula editor again.
/he $lements window
The simplest method for entering a formula is the =lements window.
(igure $" '2mbo!s are diided into categories
The =lements window is di)ided into two main parts.
The top shows the symbol categories. Clic+ on these to change the list of symbols.
The bottom shows the symbols a)ailable in the current category.
/ip
You can hide or show the =lements window with 9iew 4 $lements.
%"ample &' G<
5or this eFample we will enter a simple formula& G< . ;n the =lements window&
1' 9elect the top2left button of the categories %top' section.
2' Clic+ on the multiplication symbol.
Entering a formu!a )3
(igure &" 'e!ecting the mu!tip!ication s2mbo!
.hen you select the multiplication symbol on the =lements window( two things happen&
The eEuation editor shows the mar+up& R@S times R@S
The body of the document shows a gray boF li+e this&
(igure ," 8esu!t of se!ecting the mu!tip!ication s2mbo!
The R@S symbols shown in 5igure A are placeholders that you can replace by other teFt( for
eFample 5 and 4. The eEuation will update automatically( and the result should resemble 5igure B.
/ip
4uring edition of a formula( reser)ed placeholders are indicated by sEuares in the
formula and <?> in the command window. You can na)igate through these
placeholders than+s to F4 and Shift+F4.
/ip
To +eep the eEuation from updating automatically( select 9iew 4Auto;pdate display.
To update a formula manually( press (; or select 9iew 4 ;pdate.
)$ LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
(igure 5" 8esu!t of entering & and $ ne*t to the times operator
2ight1click >conte-t? menu
*nother way to access mathematical symbols is to right2clic+ on the eEuation editor. This pops up
the menu shown in 5igure C. The items in this menu correspond to those in the =lements window(
with some eFtra commands.
(igure 7" 8ight-c!ic9 3conte*t4 menu
:ote
!either the window elements( nor the conteFt menu contains a complete list of
commands. 5or some seldom2used commands( you must always enter the mar+up.
* complete list of commands can be found in *ppendiF * to this manual( page <C.
arkup
You can type the mar+up directly in the eEuation editor. 5or eFample( you can type 5 times 4 to
obtain G< . 7f you +now the mar+up( this can be the fastest way to enter a formula.
/ip
The formula mar+up resembles the way the formula reads in =nglish.
Entering a formu!a )&
1elow is a short list of common eEuations and their corresponding mar+up.
(isplay )ommand (isplay )ommand
a=b a T b
a
sErt UaV
a
2
aW2 a
n
aMn

f ( *)d*
int f%F' dF

a
n
sum aMn
ab a RT b

infinity
ab a times b *2 F cdot y
#reek characters
ree+ characters % = = = ( etc' are common in mathematical formulas. These characters are
not aai!ab!e in the E!ements window or the right-c!ic9 menu. 5ortunately( the mar+up for ree+
characters is simple& Type a X sign followed by the name of the character( in =nglish.
To write a !owercase character( type the name of the character in lowercase.
To write an uppercase character( type the name of the character in uppercase.
To write in italic( add an i between % sign and the name of the character.
* complete table of ree+ characters is pro)ided on page GC. 9ee the table below for some
eFamples.
Lo!ercase *ppercase Italic lo!ercase Italic uppercase
%alpha

%ALPHA %ialpha %iALPHA
%beta %BETA %ibeta %iBETA
%gamma %GAMMA %igamma %iGAMMA
%psi %PSI %ipsi %iPSI
%phi %PHI %iphi %iPHI
%theta %THETA

%itheta %iTHETA
*nother way to enter ree+ characters is by using the 9ymbols catalog window. Choose /ools 4
Catalog. This window is shown in 5igure D. "nder '2mbo! set( select #reek and double2clic+ on a
ree+ letter from the list. The mar+up name of the character is shown below the list window.
), LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
(igure ;" '2mbo!s cata!og= used for entering Gree9 characters and some specia! s2mbo!s
%"ample +' 3.1<1GD
5or this eFample we will suppose that&
.e want to enter the abo)e formula %the )alue of pi rounded to G decimal places'.
.e +now the name of the ree+ character %pi'.
1ut we do not +now the mar+up associated with the symbol.
@tep "& Type % followed by the teFt pi. This displays the ree+ character .
@tep 2& ;pen the =lements window %9iew 4 $lements'.
@tep %& The symbol is a relation( so we clic+ on the 0elations button. 7f you ho)er the mouse
o)er this button you see the tooltip 8e!ations %5igure 10'.
5igure 11 shows the =lements window after clic+ing the 0elations button. The symbol we want is
circled.
(igure )%" Too!tip indicates the
8e!ations button
(igure ))" +fter se!ecting 8e!ations
@tep (& Clic+ on the a b symbol. The eEuation editor now shows the mar+up %pi<?> simeq
<?>.
Entering a formu!a )5
@tep 0& 4elete the R@S teFt( press the ($ +ey and type 3.14159 at the end of the eEuation. .e
end up with the mar+up %pi simeq 3.14159. The result is shown in 5igure 12.
(igure )<. (ina! resu!t
Changing a formula
You can change a formula at any time. To switch into edit mode( double2clic+ on the formula.
Choosing the region to alter
To get to the appropriate section in the mar+up code( do any one of the following&
7n the eEuation editor( clic+ on the location.
9elect an area of the mar+up code that you wish to change.
Clic+ on an element in the pre)iew areaY the cursor will automatically mo)e to the
corresponding point in the eEuation editor.
4ouble2clic+ on an element in the pre)iew areaY the corresponding section in the eEuation
editor will be selected.
To be able to wor+ in the upper %pre)iew' area in the stand2alone 8ath window %5igure 2'( the
formula cursor must be acti)ated. "se the (ormu!a 6ursor button on the Too!s toolbar.
Carrying out changes
You can change an eEuation by o)erwriting selected teFt or by inserting new mar+up code at the
cursor position.
/ip
$ibre;ffice also pro)ides a means of carrying out alterations directly in the pre)iew
area. This is still under de)elopment and therefore counts as PeFperimentalQ. 7n
order to ma+e use of it( you must first carry out the following configuration change&
go to /ools 4 6ptions 4 5ibre6ffice 4 #eneral and chec+ the boF for $nable
e-perimental >unstable? features.
The acti)ation of this option ma+es it impossible( by clic+ing on a formula element( to
gain access to the corresponding position in the mar+up code.
)7 LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
Caution
The use of eFperimental features can lead to program crashes and/or loss of data.
;nly ma+e the abo)e change if you can accept this ris+.
Formula layout
The most difficult part of using $ibre;ffice 8ath comes when writing complicated formulas. This
section pro)ides some ad)ice.
Arackets are your friends
$ibre;ffice 8ath +nows nothing about order of operation. You must use brac+ets to state the order
of operations eFplicitly. Consider the following eFamples.
Mar,up -esult Mar,up -esult
2 over x + 1
2
*
+1 2 over x + 1!
2
*+1
" 1 over 2
1
2
" 1 over 2!
1
2
7n the first eFample( 8ath has recogni/ed that the 2 before and the - after the over belong to the
fraction( and has represented them accordingly. 7f you want -B" rather than - to be the
denominator( you must brac+et them together so that both will be placed there.
7n the second eFample( 8ath has recogni/ed the minus sign as a prefiF for the " and has therefore
placed it in the numerator of the fraction. 7f you wish to show that the whole thing is negati)e( with
the minus sign in front of the fraction( you must put the fraction in brac+ets in order to signify to
8ath that the characters belong together.
The braces belong solely to the layout of the mar+up code and are not printed. 7f you wish to use
braces in the formula( use the commands lbrace and rbrace.
Compare the following eFamples&
Mar,up -esult Mar,up -esult
x over "x + 1!
*
*+1
x over lbra#e "x + 1
rbra#e

*
{* +1}
Arackets with matrices look uglyC
5or bac+ground( we start with an o)er)iew of the matriF command.
Mar,up -esult
matrix a $ b $$ # $ % !
a b
c d
:ote
0ows are separated by two ZKs and entries within each row are separated by one Z.
(ormu!a !a2out );
The first problem people ha)e with matrices is that brac+ets do not scale with the matriF&
Mar,up -esult
& matrix a $ b $$ # $ % ! ' (
a b
c d
)
$ibre;ffice 8ath pro)ides scalable brac+ets. That is( the brac+ets grow in si/e to match the si/e of
their contents. "se the commands !eft3 and right4 to ma+e scalable brac+ets.
Mar,up -esult
le(t& matrix a $ b $$ # $ % ! right'
(
a b
c d
)
/ip
"se !eft@ and rightA to obtain sEuare brac+ets. The list of all a)ailable brac+ets is on
page G<.
/ip
7f you want all brac+ets to be scalable( go to Format 4 @pacing. Then in the 'pacing
dialog( choose the category Brac9ets and chec+ the option @cale all brackets.
These scalable brac+ets may also be used with any element( such as fraction( sEuare root( and so
on.
*solated and unpaired brackets
8ath eFpects that for e)ery opening brac+et there will be a closing one. 7f you forget a brac+et(
8ath places an in)erted Euestion mar+ by the corresponding brac+et. The in)erted Euestion mar+
disappears when all the brac+ets are matched. 9ometimes forgetting a brac+et causes the whole
structure of the formula to fall apart. -owe)er( an unpaired brac+et is sometimes necessary. 7n
such cases( you ha)e two options.
.ith non2scalable brac+ets( use a preceding bac+slash [ to indicate that the following character
should not be regarded as a brac+et but as a literal character. 9o the half2open inter)al [a;b[ is
represented by \[a;b\[ \ try comparing this with [a;b[
9calable brac+ets can also be unpaired. The same half2open inter)al is represented by
le(t ) a* b right )
5or scalable brac+ets( you can also use the command none to replace a non2eFistent paired
brac+et.
*=
{
* for *0
* for *!0
can be represented by
abs x + le(t lbra#e sta#, x -(or- x .+ / $ 0x -(or- x 1 /! right 2o2e
2ecogni,ing functions in ath
7n the basic installation( 8ath outputs )ariables in italics. 7f you enter a function( 8ath usually
recogni/es it and outputs it normally. 7f 8ath fails to recogni/e a function %a list of recogni/ed
functions begins on page <C'( you can inform 8ath about it. =nter the mar+up code func before
the function( and the following teFt will be recogni/ed as a function.
<% LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
9ome functions recogni/ed by 8ath need to be followed by numbers or )ariables. 7f these are
missing( 8ath puts an in)erted red Euestion mar+ in their place( which you can only remo)e by
correcting the formula& enter a )ariable or a number( or a pair of empty braces U V as a placeholder.
/ip
You can na)igate through errors using (3 and 'hift:(3.
$<uations over more than one line
9uppose you want to ma+e an eEuation co)ering more than one lineY for eFample&
*=3
2=1
Your first reaction would be to simply press the Enter +ey. -owe)er( if you press the Enter +ey(
although the mar+up goes to a new line( the resulting eEuation does not. You must type the
newline command eFplicitly. This is illustrated in the table below.
Mar,up -esult
x + 3
4 + 1
*=3 2=1
x + 3 2e5li2e
4 + 1
*=3
2=1
7f you want to continue the calculation on a new line without writing a complete new eEuation( this
is not directly possible( because 8ath eFpects a term on the left hand side of an eEuals sign. You
can substitute&
=mpty Euotes ]]. This will automatically cause the line to be left2Iustified.
=mpty braces U V. The line will then be centered.
9paces characters ^ or _. The line will be centered with the spaces.
The alignment of eEuals signs under each other is described on page 23.
*s well( spacing between elements in formulas is not set by space characters in the code. You
need to use special mar+up to add spaces& 6 %gra)e' for a small space( 7 for a large space.
*nother solution would be to add space characters between Euotes( to be considered as teFt.
9pace mar+up at the end of a formula are ignored by default %see P9pace at the end of a formulaQ
on page 3C'.
3ow do * add limits to my sumDintegral!
The sum and int commands %see complete list on page G2' can %optionally' ta+e the parameters
from and to. These are used for lower and upper limits respecti)ely. These parameters can be
used singly or together.
Mar,up -esult
s8m (rom , + 1 to 2 a9,

9=1
n
a
9
i2t (rom / to x (&t' %t
or
i2t9/:x (&t' %t

0
*
f (t )dt or

0
*
f (t ) dt
(ormu!a !a2out <)
Mar,up -esult
i2t (rom ;e (
"
f
s8m to i2(i2it4 2:02!

2
n
:ote
5or more details on integrals and sums( see page G2.
3ow do * write a derivative!
.riting deri)ati)es essentially comes down to one tric+& Te!! LibreOffice it is a fraction.
7n other words( you ha)e to use the oer command. Combine this with either the letter d %for a total
deri)ati)e' or the partia! command %for a partial deri)ati)e' to achie)e the effect of a deri)ati)e.
:ote
!otice that we ha)e to use braces %sEuiggly brac+ets' to ma+e the deri)ati)e.
Mar,up -esult
%(! over %x!
df
d*
partial (! over partial 4!
#f
# 2
partial:2 (! over partial t:2!
#
2
f
#t
2
To write function names with primes( as is usual in school notation( you must first add the signs to
the catalog. "sing single and double Euotes is typographically ugly. 9ee PCustomi/ing the catalogQ
on page 3A.
arkup characters as regular characters
Characters that are used for controlling mar+up cannot be entered directly as normal characters.
The characters concerned are& E( F( G( H( I( M( J and K. 9o( for eFample( you cannot write 2E L
...2 or "K L 2.06cm. Two methods are a)ailable to o)ercome this limitation&
"se double Euotes to mar+ the character as teFt( for eFample 2KEKL ...2. ;b)iously this is
not possible for the double2Euote character itself.
*dd the character to the catalog. 9ee PCustomi/ing the catalogQ on page 3A.
7n some cases you can use commands&
lbrace and rbrace gi)e you literal braces
{}
.
mline gi)es you the )ertical line( for eFample 2 mline % for (23)
Con)ersion into a character entity as in html or the use of an escape character is not possible in
8ath.
<< LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
/e-t in a formula
To include teFt in a formula( enclose it in straight double2Euotes&
abs x + le(t lbra#e matrix x $ -(or - x .+ / $$ 0x $ -(or - x 1 /! right 2o2e
*=
{
* for *0
* for *!0
*ll characters eFcept double Euotes are permissible in teFt. "nfortunately the 9pecial characters
dialog is not a)ailable. 7f necessary( you can write the teFt in a teFt document and copy it into the
eEuation editor )ia the clipboard. 7n this way smart Euotes can be inserted( as shown below.
(igure )3" 'mart quotes inc!uded b2 cop2 and paste from >riter.
TeFt is shown in the font that was selected from the /e-t list in the Fonts dialog %compare with the
section PChanging the fontQ on page 2G'. To use a font from the lower window of the eEuation
editor( set the attribute @erif( @ans or Fi-ed before the teFt.
1y default( teFt is left2Iustified. You can change the Iustification with alignc or alignr %see
PChanging the alignmentQ on page 2C'.
Commands are not interpreted within teFt. "se Euotes to brea+ up the teFt if you wish to use
special formatting commands.
-I2 - #olor bl8e bol% -isos#eles- -tria2gles< the base a2gles are e=8al-
7n isoscelestriangles( the base angles are eEual
3ow do * align my e<uations at the e<uals sign!
$ibre;ffice 8ath does not ha)e a command for aligning eEuations on a particular character( but
you can use a matriF to do this( as shown below.
Mar,up -esult
matrix
alig2r x+4 $ !+! $ alig2l 2 $$
alig2r x $ !+! $ alig2l 204
!
*+2 = 2
* = 22
The empty braces around T are necessary because T is a binary operator and thus needs an
eFpression on each side. You may replace them with space characters %^ or _'.
(ormu!a !a2out <3
You can reduce the spacing around T if you change the inter2column spacing of the matriF&
1' .ith the eEuation editor open( choose Format 4 @pacing from the menu bar.
2' 7n the 9pacing dialog %5igure 1<'( clic+ the Category button and select atrices in the
drop2down menu.
3' =nter .E for Column spacing and clic+ 68.
(igure )$" 6hanging spacing in a matri* formu!a
Changing the appearance of formulas
Changing the font si,e
This is one of the most common Euestions people as+ about $ibre;ffice 8ath. The answer is
simple( but not intuiti)e&
1' 9tart the formula editor and choose Format 4 Font si,e.
2' 9elect a larger font si/e under Base si1e %top2most entry'.
(igure )&. Edit Base si1e 3top4 to ma9e a formu!a bigger
The result of this change is illustrated in 5igure 1A.
<$ LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
(igure ),. 8esu!t of changing the base font si1e
:ote
The change in font si/e applies only to the current formula. To change the font si/e
generally( clic+ on the +efault button and then 68. * general change in the font si/e
might( for eFample( ma+e your wor+ easier when you are preparing a big
presentation and want all the formulas in it to ha)e a base si/e of 2Cpt\but do not
forget to set the font si/e bac+ to its original )alue when the wor+ is finished.
.arning& this modifies only the current formula and future formulas you will write. To
modify all formulas already eFisting in the document( you need to use a macro %see
page <G'.
The si/e of a subset of characters in a formula may be modified using the size command. 5or
instance& b size 5{a} &
ba
. 7n $lements window( last but one icon of +ttributes tab
gi)es the size command. The )alue Iust after size may be absolute %numeric )alue' or relati)e to
the conteFt %base si/e by default'& +( !3( "#( or $# for instance.
Changing the font
The fonts used in formulas can be changed using Format 4 Fonts.
The (ormu!a fonts section of the (onts dialog %5igure 1B' refers to the four specified formula
elements. The font for operators( relationships and brac+ets is not affected( as these elements
normally come from the ;pen9ymbol font. 9imilarly elements from the catalog %see PCustomi/ing
the catalogQ on page 3A' continue to be displayed in the font specified there.
(igure )5" (onts dia!og
The 6ustom fonts section determines which font will be used when the attribute font serif( font
sans or font fi-ed is specified.
6hanging the appearance of formu!as <&
To change a font( first clic+ on the odify listboF.
Choose the type of entry you wish to modify. The (onts dialog opens( showing all the fonts
a)ailable on your system.
(igure )7" (ont dia!og
7f you enter an initial character in the upper teFt boF( the list will Iump to that place. 1y entering a
few additional characters( you can specify the eFact font that you want. 7f you do not +now its
name( use the scrollbar to scroll through them. Clic+ on any name and the boF below will show a
pre)iew.
`ariables should be written in italics( so ma+e sure that the 0ta!ic option is selected. 5or all other
elements( use the basic %0oman' form. The style can be easily altered in the formula itself by using
the commands italic or bold to set these characteristics and nitalic or nbold to unset them.
.hen you ha)e chosen a new font for a formula( the old font remains in the list alongside the new
one and can be selected again. This applies only to the current sessionY the old font is not stored
permanently.
You can choose whate)er fonts you li+e( but if you are eFchanging documents with someone else(
you should choose fonts that are present on your colleagueKs computer.
Ad=usting spacing in formulas
To increase or decrease spacing in formulas( do the following&
1' o to Format 4 @pacing.
2' 7n the 'pacing dialog( clic+ the triangle neFt to Category( and choose an entry from the list.
<, LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
3' Choose appropriate spacing )alues %the types of spacing that can be set depend on the
category' and clic+ 68.
(igure );" 'pacing dia!og
:ote
Changes in spacing apply only to the current formula. To change spacing generally(
clic+ on the +efault button and then 68.
9pacing changes are possible for the categories shown in the following table.
)ategory Possible ad.ustment
9pacing
Character spacing $ine spacing 0oot spacing
7ndeFes
9uperscript 9ubscript
5ractions
!umerator 4enominator
5raction bars
=Fcesslength $ine thic+ness
$imits
"pper limit $ower limit
1rac+ets
=Fcess si/e 9pacing
6hanging the appearance of formu!as <5
8atrices
$ine spacing Column spacing
9ymbols
#rimary height 8inimum spacing
;perators
=Fcess si/e 9pacing
1orders
$eft 0ight Top 1ottom
Changing the alignment
The alignment settings determine how formula elements located abo)e one another are aligned
hori/ontally relati)e to each other. "se Format 4 Alignment to choose between Left( 6entered or
8ight on a global basis.
(igure <%" +!ignment dia!og
-ere again you can use the +efault button to ma+e the change apply to all formulas and not Iust
the current one. The following eFample shows the effect in different situations.
/lignment %"amples
left
*
2
D
*
(
100
B
)
c
2
=a
2
+b
2
2abcos
cos=
c
2
a
2
b
2
2ab
centered %4efault'
*
2
D
*
(
100
B
)
c
2
=a
2
+b
2
2abcos
cos =
c
2
a
2
b
2
2ab
<7 LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
/lignment %"amples
right
*
2
D
*
(
100
7
)
c
2
=a
2
+b
2
2abcos
cos=
c
2
a
2
b
2
2a b
7t is not possible to align formulas on a particular character.
4efault settings of alignment do not apply to teFt elementsY they are always aligned left. 7n the
following eFamples( the default alignment is right but the first eFample begins the second line with
teFt %albeit empty teFt' and is therefore aligned left.
Mar,up )ode -esult
1+2+3+>! over ? + 2 over @/+A/+B/+C/!
2e5li2e
--+2+1 over 1?/
1+2+3+<
G
+
2
A0+B0+C0+D0
=2+
1
1G0
1+2+3+>! over ? + 2 over @/+A/+B/+C/!
2e5li2e
!+2+1 over 1?/
1+2+3+<
G
+
2
A0+B0+C0+D0
=2+
1
1G0
7ndependent of the default alignment( it is possible to align formulas eFplicitly using the commands
alignl( alignc and alignr. This attribute also wor+s for teFt elements.
Changing the color
"se the command %&'&( to change the color of a subset of a formula& %&'&( (e) *+, gi)es
+B6 . There are eight colors to choose between& -hite( b'a%.( %/a0( ma1e0ta( (e)( b'2e(
1(ee0( /e''&-.
You may gi)e a color to a subset of a formula if it is gathered between { } or other parentheses.
5or instance& * + %&'&( 1(ee0 {, 3} 4 gi)es +B6DE .
7f se)eral colors are used( the one the more inside the formula is applied( as in this eFample &
%&'&( b'2e {* + %&'&( /e''&- , 3} gi)es +B6D .
7t is not possible to select bac+ground color& it is always transparent in 8ath. The bac+ground color
of the whole formula is then the same as the one of the document or frame %in a teFt document for
instance'. 7n .riter( you can use obIect properties %right2clic+ S 6b=ect' choose a bac+ground color
for the whole formula %see P1ac+ground( borders( and si/eQ on page 31'.
Formulas in Writer documents
:umbering e<uations
=Euation numbering is one of .riterKs best hidden features. The steps are simple( but obscure&
1' 9tart a new line.
2' Type f0 and then press (3.
The fn is replaced by a numbered formula&
E=mc
2
%2'
(ormu!as in >riter documents <;
!ow you can double2clic+ on the formula to edit it. 5or eFample( here is the 0iemann :eta function&
$( 1)=

n=1

1
n
1
%3'
You can reference an eEuation %Pas shown in =Euation %2'Q' with these steps&
1' Choose *nsert 4 Cross1reference from the menu bar.
2' ;n the 6ross-references tab %5igure 21'( under T2pe( select Te*t.
3' "nder 'e!ection( select the eEuation number.
<' "nder 0nsert reference to( select 8eference.
G' Clic+ *nsert.
4oneH 7f you later add more eEuations to the paper before the referenced eEuation( all the
eEuations will automatically renumber and the cross2references will update.
/ip
To insert the eEuation number without parentheses around it( choose Cumbering
instead of 8eference under 0nsert reference to.
(igure <). 0nserting a cross-reference to an equation number
The *utoTeFt inserted as a result of the abo)e procedure consists of a 1F2 table. The left cell
contains the formula and the right one the number. The number is an automatic counter named
TeFt. You can edit the *utoTeFt if( for eFample( you prefer sEuare rather than round brac+ets( or if
you want formula and number to be separated by tabs rather than formatted as a table. 0ead the
section on P"sing *utoTeFtQ in Chapter 3 in the >riter Guide %.or+ing with TeFt'.
3% LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
Position
!ormally a formula is anchored +s character in a .riter document. 1ut as with any other ;$=
obIect( you can change the anchoring mode to position the formula where you want it. 5or more
information( see Chapter 11 of the Getting 'tarted guide %raphics( the allery( and 5ontwor+'.
1y default( formula obIects anchored +s character are automatically aligned )ertically to the
baseline of the surrounding teFt. To align the formula manually( go to /ools 4 6ptions 4
5ibre6ffice Writer 4 Formatting Aids and unchec+ the option ath baseline alignment. This
setting is stored with the document and applies to all formulas within it. !ew documents use the
current setting from this dialog.
argins
*n inserted 8ath obIect has margins to left and right of it( separating it from surrounding teFt. 7f you
do not want this( it is best to alter the frame style for formulas( as this will apply simultaneously to
all eFisting formulas and those still to be inserted in the document. #roceed as follows&
1' #ress F"". The 't2!es and (ormatting dialog opens.
2' Clic+ on the (rame 't2!es tab.
3' 5ind the (ormu!a frame style and right2clic+ on it.
<' Choose Modif2 from the conteFt menu. The (rame 't2!e dialog opens.
G' 9witch to the >rap tab of the dialog. Change the )alues for Left and 8ight in the 9pacing
section to 0.00.
A' Clic+ 68 to close the dialog.
This changes the spacing for all formulas that ha)e not had their spacing adIusted manually. You
can find more information on using styles in P4efault layout with styleQ on page 3D and in Chapter 3
of the Getting 'tarted guide %"sing 9tyles and Templates'.
/e-t mode
$arger formulas should always be in a paragraph of their own( separated from the teFt. .hen you
use formula elements in running teFt( they can often be higher than the letter height.
-owe)er( if it is necessary to place a formula within running teFt( switch into the eEuation editor
and go to Format 4 /e-t mode. 8ath will try to shrin+ the formula to fit the letter height. The
numerators and denominators of fractions are shrun+( and the limits of integrals and sums are
placed beside the integral/sum sign.
%"ample'
* formula in a separate paragraph&

i =2
G
i
2
and the same formula embedded in teFt mode&
i=2
G
i
2
Aackground) borders) and si,e
.ith regard to formatting( formulas are treated as obIects of the (rame 't2!e type with the 5ormula
frame style. 1ac+ground color and borders can be set using this style or directly with Format 4
FrameD6b=ect( or by right2clic+ing the formula and choosing 6b=ect from the conteFt menu. 7n the
basic installation( formulas ha)e a transparent bac+ground and no borders. The si/e of a formula
cannot be adIustedY in a .riter document it depends directly on the way the formula is constructed
%see PChanging the font si/eQ on page 2<'.
(ormu!as in >riter documents 3)
Creating a formula library
.hen you use the 8ath component of $ibre;ffice directly with File 4 :ew 4 Formula( you create
documents with the file suffiF .odf( each containing a single formula. You can use these to build up
a library of freEuently2used formulas. =mbedded formulas can also be stored as separate 8ath
documents by right2clic+ing on the formula and choosing @ave copy as from the conteFt menu. To
insert such a 8ath document into a .riter document( use *nsert 4 6b=ect 4 65$ 6b=ect. 9elect
the option 6reate from fi!e and enter the pathname of the file or browse for it using your systemKs
file manager by pressing the @earch button.
:ote
You cannot insert the document by dragging and dropping with the mouse( nor by
using *nsert 4 File.
5ormulas cannot be stored in the gallery because they are not in graphical format. You can(
howe)er( store a formula as *utoTeFt. .rite the formula in a separate paragraph( select it( and go
to $dit 4 Auto/e-t. 5or further information see P"sing *utoTeFtQ in Chapter 3 in the >riter Guide
%.or+ing with TeFt'.
Fast insertion of formulas
7f you already +now the mar+up of your formula( there is a faster method to build your formula&
1' .rite the formula mar+up in .riter.
2' 9elect this mar+up.
3' 7nsert the formula using the toolbar button( the menu( or a +eyboard shortcut %see P*dd
+eyboard shortcutQ on page 3G'.
This method a)oids opening and closing the 8ath window and sa)es a reasonable amount of time.
Formulas in Calc) *mpress) and +raw
#raphical properties
5ormula obIects ha)e similar properties in Calc( 7mpress( and 4raw. They are always inserted with
a transparent bac+ground and without borders. 7n 4raw and 7mpress( they are assigned the
Defau!t graphical styleY there is no assigned style for them in Calc and properties must be specified
directly. The properties shown in the 9tyles and 5ormatting window( the conteFt menu( and the
Format 4 #raphic menu are limited( when not a)ailable at all.
Line0 /rea0 1hado!
You can set )alues but the settings are completely ignored.
2e"t attributes
*ll teFt attributes( such as font and alignment( refer not to the formula teFt but to the teFt element
present in all graphical obIects. 5or a selected obIect( this can be accessed )ia the (< +ey. 5or
further information( read the P.or+ing with teFt in 4rawQ in Chapter 10 %*d)anced 4raw
TechniEues' of the Draw Guide.
Position
* formula can be positioned anywhere you li+e. "se the mouse( the arrow +eys( or the #osition
and 9i/e dialog a)ailable from Format 4 Position and @i,e.
3< LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
1i3e
7n documents a formula is not represented directly but replaced by a graphic. The si/e of this
graphic is initially protected. To change the si/e( open the #osition and 9i/e dialog and( on the first
page( in the .rotect section( unchec+ the @i,e chec+boF. This acti)ates the 'i1e section directly
abo)e. =nter your modifications. .hen the dialog is closed( the si/e will immediately be protected
again.
Changing the si/e does not affect the formula itself but only its graphical representation. 7n
particular the basic font si/e of the formula %see PChanging the font si/eQ on page 2<' does not
change. To re)ert to the si/e determined by the formula content( use the Origina! 'i1e option in the
conteFt menu. This allows si/ing errors that are sometimes caused by inserting a formula from a
different module to be corrected.
-otation0 shear0 and flipping
0otation( shearing( and flipping %creating mirror images' are not possibleY the corresponding dialog
options are inacti)ated. 7f you need to do this( con)ert the formula to a GD0 metafi!e graphic. ;nce
you ha)e done this( it is not a formula any more but an image. Copy the formula onto the clipboard.
Choose $dit 4 Paste @pecial or( on the 9tandard Toolbar( use the #aste menu %a)ailable from the
small triangle to the right of the #aste icon' and choose the option #+* etafile.
Combining formulas with te-t
9ince a formula is an ;$= obIect( you cannot insert it into the content of a spreadsheet cell(
graphic or presentation obIect. Thus( unli+e in .riter( you cannot integrate formulas with running
teFt. -ere are some alternati)es&
2e"t elements !ithin the formula
You can write the teFt directly into the formula. 5or eFample&
The illustration of a parallelogram suggests the
relationship
%
+B=
%
6D&
%
+6=
%
B6.
1ut this does not constitute a proof.
The corresponding mar+up teFt is&
-The ill8stratio2 o( a parallelogram s8ggests the- 2e5li2e
-relatio2ship - 5i%eve# AB + 5i%eve# DE %lrarro5 5i%eve# AD + 5i%eve# BD -F- 2e5li2e
-B8t this %oes 2ot #o2stit8te a proo(F-
$ines are not wrapped automaticallyY you must use the newline command.
You can use Format 4 Fonts to match the teFt to its surroundings. 9ee PChanging the fontP on
page 2G.
Grouping formulas !ith graphic ob.ects
5ormulas can easily be combined with other obIects into a group( which is not possible in teFt
documents. 7n the following eFample( teFt boFes are combined with formulas and rectangles are
used to highlight parts of the formula.
(ormu!as in 6a!c= 0mpress= and Draw 33
Now, the quadratic complement is introduced
=x
2
6x+3
2
3
2
7
and then elements are gathered
=x
2
6x+3
2
3
2
7
=( x3)
2
16
Formulas in riter OL% ob.ects
To be able to use all the facilities possible in teFt documents( create the formula and its teFt in
.riter. Choose a page si/e that roughly matches your e)entual obIecti)e. 4o not write more than
one page because page selection causes problems later. 9a)e the document.
7n 7mpress %or 4raw or Calc'( use *nsert 4 6b=ect 4 65$ 6b=ect and then choose the option
6reate from fi!e. The formula is embedded as an ;$= obIect in a document that is itself an ;$=
obIect. *s a result( the formula cannot be modified in 7mpress. 5or that reason( you should always
acti)ate the option Lin9 to fi!e. Then if you need to ma+e a change( open the teFt document and
edit teFt and formula there. 7n 7mpress( use $dit 4 5inks and then the ;pdate button to display the
stored )ersion of the teFt document. 4o not try to modify the formula in 7mpressY it causes the
representation to become faulty.
Formulas in charts
* chart is itself an ;$= obIect. Therefore you cannot call up the eEuation editor within it. There is
no freestanding module of $ibre;ffice that creates charts( so you cannot use anything similar to
the abo)e method using .riter either. -owe)er you can create a formula outside the charts editor(
copy it to the clipboard( acti)ate the chart for editing( and paste in the formula from the clipboard.
This automatically con)erts the formula into a metafile graphic. 7f you wish to ma+e further
modifications( you must discard it and repeat the procedure.
Customi,ations
-ere are a few ways to customi/e your use of 8ath.
Formula editor as a floating window
The formula editor can co)er a large part of the .riter window. To turn the formula editor into a
floating window( do this&
1' -o)er the mouse o)er the editor frame( as shown in 5igure 22.
2' -old down the 6ontro! +ey and double2clic+.
(igure <<" Turning the formu!a editor into a f!oating window
3$ LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
5igure 23 shows the result. You can doc+ the floating window again by using the same steps. -old
down the 6ontro! +ey and double2clic+ the window frame.
(igure <3" (ormu!a editor as a f!oating window
Add button to toolbar
* Formula button is by default present on the *nsert toolbar in >riter and 0mpress. You can add it
to other toolbars&
1' 9iew 4 /oolbars 4 Customi,e or right2clic+ at the beginning of a toolbarand choose
Customi,e toolbar. Choose the /oolbars tab and the toolbar you wish to modify.
2' 9elect the position where you want to insert the button.
3' Clic+ on Add.
<' 9elect the *nsert category( then the Formula command corresponding to icon %the
command corresponds to an eEui)alent of a spreadsheet formula'.
(igure <$" +dd a button to insert a formu!a
G' Clic+ on Add. You can continue to add buttons or clic+ on Close.
A' ;n the Customi/e dialog( use the arrows to mo)e buttons up or down the list before
)alidating with 68.
Add keyboard shortcut
You can add a +eyboard shortcut to insert a formula&
1' 8enu /ools 4 Customi,e( 8eyboard tab.
6ustomi1ations 3&
2' 9elect the le)el of the shortcut& LibreOffice to benefit from it in all components %if the
shortcut is not used in this component' or only in the current component.
3' 9elect the *nsert category( then the Formula command %the one not corresponding to F#
shortcutY that command corresponds to the eEui)alent of a spreadsheet formula'.
<' 9elect the +eys to apply( then clic+ on odify.
G' #roceed the same way for other shortcut with the same le)el( then )alidate with 68.
7f using your shortcut causes a formula bar to appear %as in Calc'( that means you chose the wrong
(ormu!a command.
(igure <&" +dd a 9e2board shortcut
Customi,ing the catalog
7f you need to use a symbol that is not a)ailable in 8ath( you can add it to the catalog. The
following eFample shows the procedure for symbols that are used in mar+ing school wor+.
1' o to /ools 4 Catalog or clic+ on the catalog button to open the 9ymbols catalog
%5igure D'.
2' Clic+ the $dit button. The =dit symbols window %5igure 2A' opens.
3' The symbols are arranged in so2called symbol sets. 7n the lower part of the window( choose
an a)ailable set for your new symbol from the 9ymbol set list( for eFample the 'pecia! set.
;r you can type the name of a new symbol set directly into the boF.
3, LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
<' 5rom the 5ont list( choose a font that contains the desired symbol.
.hen you ha)e selected a font( its characters appear in the font summary window. You can
scroll through it using the scrollbar at the side( or use the 9ubset list to go straight to the
place you need.
To follow this eFample( choose the font DeDaEu 'ans and the subset Genera! punctuation.
G' Clic+ on the desired symbol %here "F2032'. 7t appears enlarged in the right2hand pre)iew
boF %see 5igure 2B'. 8a+e sure that the symbol set is set to @pecial.
A' 7n the 9ymbol field( enter a name for the symbol( for eFample prime.
B' 7f the name is not already in use( the Add button becomes acti)e. Clic+ on it.
C' You can immediately add more symbols. 7n the eFample( the P"O2033Q symbol( named
dblprime( and the P"O203<Q symbol( named triprime( are added. %9ee 5igure 2C.'
D' Clic+ 68 to close the dialog.
(igure <," Edit '2mbo!s dia!og
(igure <5" Edit '2mbo!s dia!og" characters se!ected
!ow the 9ymbol set )iew area shows the new symbol. 7t can be selected Iust li+e the other
symbols( either from here( or by writing them directly into the eEuation editor in the form Xprime.
Caution
9ymbols %ree+ or 9pecial'( in contrast to commands( are case sensiti)e %lowercase
uppercase'.
6ustomi1ations 35
There are numerous free fonts containing a great number of mathematical symbols. The P9T7J
1
Q
font is worthy of special mention here. 7t was de)eloped specially for writing mathematical/technical
teFts. The 4eIa`u
2
and $ucida
3
fonts also ha)e a wide range of symbols.
(igure <7" 6ata!og with new s2mbo!
:ote
8any symbols occur in more than one font. 7f you want to eFchange documents with
others( ta+e care to use a font that is installed on their machine.
7n the basic $ibre;ffice installation( only those user2defined symbols that actually occur in the
document are stored with it. 9ometimes it is useful to embed all the user2defined symbols( for
eFample when the document is going to be further edited by another person. o to /ools 4
6ptions 4 5ibre6ffice ath and on the @ettings page( unchec+ the option $mbed only used
symbols >smaller file si,e?.This setting is only a)ailable when you are wor+ing on a 8ath
document.
Customi,ing operators
* name( to be recogni/ed as a function to be written with regular font not italic( must be preceded
by mar+up code f20%.
*n operator( to be enlarged and to accept limits as integral or sum( must be preceded by mar+up
code &pe(. 7t is possible to use a letter( a name or a personal symbol %see PCustomi/ing the
catalogQ on page 3A'.
(
i '0
+
i
is written &pe( F f(&m {i i0 5} *6i.
You can modify the beha)ior of an operator or change one of your personal symbols in an
operator( using mar+up codes b&pe(( to create a binary operator( and 2&pe(( to create a unary
operator.
@pace at the end of a formula
The gra)e accent ^ inserts a small additional space into the formulaY the tilde _ inserts a larger one.
7n the basic installation( these symbols are ignored when they occur at the end of a formula.
-owe)er( when wor+ing with running teFt( it may be necessary to include spacing at the end of
formulas as well. This customi/ation is only a)ailable when you are wor+ing with a 8ath document(
and not when you are embedding a 8ath obIect.
1 5ont files for 9T7J are a)ailable from http&//www.stiFfonts.org
2 5ont files for 4eIa`u 9ans are a)ailable from http&//www.deIa)u2fonts.org
3 $ucida 9ans belongs to the ,0= pac+age( which is probably already on your computer.
37 LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
;pen a 8ath document with File 4 :ew 4 Formula. ;pen the customi/ation dialog with /ools 4
6ptions and choose 5ibre6ffice ath. ;n the @ettings page( unchec+ the option *gnore M and N
at the end of the line.
+efault layout with style
7n .riter( formulas are formatted according to the frame style
(ormu!a. 7n the 9tyle and 5ormatting window %displayed with
())'( clic+ on the third button( (rame 't2!es. 0ight2clic+ on
Formula and select odify. 1y this means( you can directly
modify all formulas in your document( regarding spacing
%page 31' or bac+ground %page 31'( eFcept if you manually
modify formula formatting.
To apply this style in all your new .riter documents( you must include the Formula style in your
default template. To do so&
1' Create a new .riter document and modify the Formula frame style as you wish.
2' 9a)e the document with File 4 @ave as /emplate.
3' To define this template as your default template( select File 4 :ew 4 /emplates. 7n the
Template 8anager dialog( open the folder containing the template that you want to set as
the default( then select the template. Choose the @et As +efault button abo)e the list of
templates %5igure 30.'
!ew teFt documents will be based on this template.
(igure 3%" 'etting a defau!t temp!ate using the Temp!ate Manager dia!og
To return to the default template supplied when $ibre;ffice was installed( go to the Template
8anager dialog %5igure 31'( clic+ the Action enu icon on the right( point to 2eset +efault
/emplate on the drop2down menu( and clic+ /e-t +ocument.
6ustomi1ations 3;
(igure <; " Modif2 (rame 't2!e
(ormu!a
(igure 3)" 8esetting the defau!t temp!ate
Application to chemical formulas
8ath was designed to build mathematical formulas( but it can also be used to write chemical
formulas. 7n chemistry( formulas loo+ li+e -
2
;& names are usually non2italic uppercase. To write
chemical formulas with 8ath( begin with setting non2italic for )ariables %see PChanging the fontQ on
page 2G'.
1elow are some eFamples of chemical formulas.
)onstruction %"ample %ntry
8olecules -
2
9;
<
76# S864 %please note the spaceH'
7sotopes "
D2
23C
9 's2b 9# 's2p #3:
7ons 9;
<
2
S864;{#!{}} or S864;{#<!<}
Cotes & 's2b or 's2p are abre)iations for !eft subscript and !eft superscript. =mpty braces after #!
are necessary to a)oid errors as there is no right member after the minus sign.
5or re)ersible reactions( there is no satisfactory double arrow in 8ath. 7f you ha)e a font with a
correct symbol( use the method described in PCustomi/ing the catalogQ on page 3A. 5or eFample(
4eIa`u fonts ha)e these double arrows .
;therwise( you can find a special character in a document and copy it( for instance in this formula&
C+;C; ]]. You will find other double arrows here&
http&//de).w3.org/htmlG/html2author/charref from character F021C<.
$-port and import
$-port as ath5
7n addition to eFporting documents as #45s( as described in Chapter 10( #rinting( =Fporting( and
=mailing( of the Getting 'tarted guide( 8ath offers the possibility of eFporting formulas as 8ath8$.
"nfortunately browsers do not follow this standard perfectly. 7f there are subseEuent faults in
display( the fault lies with your browserH
$% LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
*s an eFample( ta+e this formula&
Mar,up -esult
%Geta &G' + s8m (rom 2 + 1! to i2(i2it4 1 over
2:G!! 2e5li2e le(t&matrix a $ b $$ # $ %!right'
2e5li2e -Text- 2e5li2e i2t9/:x (&t' %t 2e5li2e x + 3
4 + 1
$( 1)=

n=1

1
n
1
(
a b
c d
)
TeFt

0
*
f (t )dt
*=3 2=1
This formula combines )arious possibilities that 8ath offers( which ma+es it useful for testing.
7f you are wor+ing in a separate 8ath document( go to File 4 @ave as to open the 'ae as dialog.
Choose 8ath8$ from the list of a)ailable file formats( to sa)e your formula as 8ath8$.
5or an embedded formula( choose @ave copy as from the conteFt menu.
-esult
This formula was subseEuently tested in se)eral browsers.
5irefoF 1<.0.1 ;pera 12.00
7nternet =Fplorer D
E*port and import $)
Chromium 13 and oogle Chrome 20.0
9afari G.1 only opens the file manager to sa)e the data.
icrosoft file formats
The options in /ools 4 6ptions 4 5oadD@ave 4 icrosoft 6ffice control how the import and
eFport of 8icrosoft ;ffice file formats is carried out in regard to formulas.
Loading
7f a$b is chec+ed( $ibre;ffice con)erts 8icrosoft formulas into nati)e format when a document is
loaded. This is possible if the formulas were created with 8athType
4
%up to )ersion 3.1' or with the
8icrosoft =Euation =ditor. The latter is a reduced( older )ersion of 8athType licensed by 8icrosoft
and included in the 8icrosoft ;ffice pac+age.
5ormulas created by newer )ersions of 8athType or by the new 8icrosoft formula editor P;88$
5

=Euation =ditorQ %8icrosoft ;ffice 9uite 2010 and to some eFtent 200B' cannot be con)erted.
7f a document created in 8icrosoft ;ffice 2010 and containing an ;88$ formula is sa)ed into a
.doc file format( 8icrosoft ;ffice con)erts the formula into a graphic. ;nly this graphic is then
accessible to $ibre;ffice.
7f you load a .docF document that contains ;88$ formulas( these fail in con)ersion whether a$b is
chec+ed or not.
7nside 8icrosoft ;ffice( formulas created with 8athType or 8icrosoft =Euation =ditor are treated as
;$= obIects. 7f a$b is not chec+ed( $ibre;ffice maintains this. 4ouble2clic+ing on the obIect
launches 8athType and new formulas can be inserted using *nsert 4 6b=ect 4 65$ 6b=ect. This
setup is to be recommended if you ha)e 8athType installed and wish to use it to create and edit
formulas.
1a$ing
7f a9b is chec+ed( $ibre;ffice con)erts the formula into a form that can be read and modified by
8icrosoft =Euation =ditor and 8athType. .hen a9b is not chec+ed( the formula is treated as an
;$= obIect on con)ersion into a .doc format( and remains lin+ed to $ibre;ffice. * double2clic+ on
the obIect in .ord will therefore attempt to launch $ibre;ffice.
7f you sa)e in the .docF format( formulas are not con)erted( whether a9b is chec+ed or not.
Opening Open(ocument te"ts in Microsoft ord +0&0
.hen you use 8icrosoft ;ffice 2010( it is possible to open $ibre;ffice files in .odt format.
8icrosoft ;ffice 2010 reports an error but ne)ertheless displays a PrepairedQ document. 7n this
document( any original formulas are con)erted to ;88$. 7f you sa)e it again in .odt format(
8icrosoft ;ffice 2010 con)erts the formulas into 8ath8$( and these formulas can then be edited in
4 http&//www.dessci.com/en/
5 ;ffice 8ath 8ar+up $anguage
$< LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
$ibre;ffice. Ta+e care that symbols that belong together are enclosed in grouping brac+ets( e)en if
these are not necessary for display in $ibre;ffice itself. This enables $ibre;ffice to correctly
translate the formula into 8ath8$. 5or eFample( use s2m f(&m {i=1} t& 0 {i;#} rather
than s2m f(&m i=1 t& 0 i;#.
7n this procedure( the annotation element is lost. *s a result( $ibre;ffice no longer shows the
original 8ath mar+up code in the eEuation editor( but instead generates a new mar+up code from
the internal 8ath8$ notation.
O3/5
The J-T8$ file format is a)ailable only as an eFport format. 5or this reason you will find the option
under File 4 $-port rather than File 4 @ave as. 7f this option is missing in your setup( you can
install the necessary filter %run $ibre;ffice 9etup( select odify( and then select 6ptional
Components 4 O@5/ @ample Filters'. The replacement graphic for the formula is embedded in
the file( but the original 8ath mar+up code( included as an annotation element in 8ath8$( is
absent in this case %compare with the section on P=Fport as 8ath8$Q on page <0'.
.hether the document is correctly displayed depends on the browser. 5irefoF shows the document
correctly including the formulas. ;pera and 7nternet =Fplorer ha)e some problems with the
embedded graphic.
The older filter P-T8$ 4ocument %;pen;ffice.org .riter'%.html'P does not sa)e formulas at all but
uses only a poorly resol)ed graphic in .gif file format.
Flat O5
This format can be both read and sa)ed by $ibre;ffice. 7f the option is not present under File 4
@ave or File 4 @ave as( you can install the necessary filter. 7n this format( the whole content of the
document( including the template( is sa)ed within an J8$ document. 7n other words( it is not a
compressed folder( as is usually the case for sa)ed ;pen4ocument files. *ny formulas are
included as 8ath8$ elements( similar to the results of eFporting as 8ath8$. -owe)er indi)idual
formulas are not sa)ed( only the whole document including the formulas. This format is suitable for
direct entry into an eFternal )ersion control system.
$-tensions
7f you use 8ath freEuently( it may be interesting to install one of these two eFtensions( which ease
formula editing. 1oth programmers do not compete( but help one each other when it is possible.
-owe)er( Dmaths are 6mathOOo cannot be simultaneously installed. They are both
complementaryY you may install them on separate logins to test them before choosing.
+maths P an e-tension for more than =ust faster formula input
4maths is a mathematical macro pac+age for $ibre;ffice .riter( which can be installed as an
eFtension. 7t can be downloaded from http&//eFtensions.libreoffice.org/eFtension2center/dmaths.
*fter installing 4maths( close and reopen $ibre;ffice. .riter now shows a new menu %5igure 32'( a
new %customi/able' toolbar with 3A buttons %5igure 33'( a new toolbar with 2A buttons for use with
dmath %5igure 3<'( a new toolbar with 10 buttons for use with *-math34 %5igure 3G'( and two
short toolbars to switch the longer ones on and off and to access a few further functions %5igure
3A'.
E*tensions $3
(igure 3<" Dmaths menu
(igure 33" 6ustomi1ab!e Dmaths too!bar
(igure 3$" Gdmath too!bar
(igure 3&" +Hmath3D too!bar
(igure 3," Too!bars for switching on and off further functions
4maths offers numerous tools for creating mathematical documents&
9ingle2clic+ creation of 8ath formulas from teFt input %orange symbols'
Creation of 8ath formulas using an input dialog %)iolet symbols'
Tagging teFt %blue symbols'
Changing the properties of eFisting formulas %green symbols'
4rawing graphics( grids( statistical diagrams and geometrical figures %cyan symbols'
4rawing and modification of geometric obIects %gray dmath toolbar( also a)ailable in
$ibre;ffice 4raw'
4rawing 34 obIects %*-math 34 toolbar with wire models'
The menu pro)ides access to further add2ons( configuration( and a detailed Dmaths He!p Guide.
4maths was initially created by the 5rench mathematician( 4idier 4orange( but is now a)ailable in
erman( =nglish( and 9panish as well as 5rench. The original website is www.dmaths.org.
$$ LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
@ymbolic computation with Cmath66o and Cmath66oCA@
6mathOOo is a program that( than+s to word processing( allows you to enter mathematical
eFpressions using same syntaF as with a high school calculator. 6mathOOo6+' eFtension
enables symbolic computation as with Jcas
6
directly from word processingY formating and layout
of the result is built with 6mathOOo. This eFtension can be downloaded from the *pache
;pen;ffice eFtension website( http&//eFtensions.ser)ices.openoffice.org/fr/proIect/Cmath;;o or
from Christophe 4e)allandKs website http&//cde)al.free.fr. 4irect lin+ to the page is
http&//cde)al.free.fr/spip.php@articleCG.
/echnical details
6A@*@ 6pen +ocument Format for 6ffice applications
The ;45 specification does not lay down a completely new standard for 8ath formulas but ta+es
o)er the 9tandard 8athematical 8ar+up $anguage %8ath8$' de)eloped by the .orld .ide .eb
Consortium %.3C' for representing formulas on websites %compare
http&//www.w3.org/T0/2003/0=C28ath8$2220031021'. ;f the two types pro)ided( #resentation
mar+up and Content mar+up( ;45 uses the former. 7t therefore describes the representation of a
formula rather than its mathematical meaning.
The 8ath8$ mar+up language differs from the one used in the eEuation editor. 9o( for eFample( in
the formula i0t f(&m {i=1} t& 3 {f>t? {0ita'i% )}t}( the parts f(&m... t& are not
translated but con)erted into 8ath8$ similarly to i0t6{i=1};3. The original formula in the
eEuation editor is a 9tar8ath
7
G.0 encoding. To pre)ent it from being lost( it is stored as an
annotation element. ;ther applications do not need either to e)aluate nor to sa)e this element( nor
do they themsel)es create it.
7n $ibre;ffice a formula is always associated with a replacement graphic. 7n the container formats
.odf( .odt( and so on these graphics are stored in a separate folder and are internally lin+ed to
their document. -owe)er if you use the file format ;pen 4ocument %5lat J8$' or eFport to J-T8$(
these graphics must be embedded. 5or this purpose they are encoded in 1*9=A<.
3andling of formulas in Aasic
This section is not an introduction to 1asic but simply describes some specific aspects of formulas.
You can get more specific information about types and ser)ices at
http&//api.libreoffice.org/common/ref/com/sun/star/module2iF.html. 7f you loo+ up the notations
shown here in the indeF( you will Euic+ly get to the rele)ant descriptions.
Formulas in a riter document
7n a .riter document( all ;$= obIects( including formulas( belong to a collection of type
'wFTe*tEmbeddedObDects&
oD8rre2tDo2troller + @his,&mp&0e0tFgetD8rre2tDo2troller&'
oTextEo#8me2t + oD8rre2tDo2trollerFMo%el
oEmbe%%e%HbIe#ts + oTextEo#8me2tFEmbe%%e%HbIe#ts
This collection is numbered continuously from 0. You can find a gi)en obIect by&
2E2%I2%ex + oEmbe%%e%HbIe#tsFDo82t01
f&( 2I2%ex+/ t& 2E2%I2%ex
oMathHbIe#t + oEmbe%%e%HbIe#tsFgetB4I2%ex&2I2%ex'
6 http&//www2fourier.uIf2grenoble.fr/_parisse/giac.html
7 $ibre;ffice is based on the 9tar;ffice suite( de)eloped by 9tar4i)ision.
Technica! detai!s $&
To determine if this obIect is actually a formula( test whether it supports a ser)ice that is supported
by formulas&
oMo%el + oMathHbIe#tFMo%el
if oMo%elFs8pportsServi#e&-#omFs82FstarF(orm8laFJorm8laProperties-' the0
*lternati)ely test if the C$974( which e)ery ;$= obIect possesses( is that belonging to a 8ath
obIect&
if oMathHbIe#tFDLSIE + -/ABBAABA0?>JD0>?AJ0B??10@1>AeAA@aCCA- the0
"sing the model( you can then alter the properties of the formula( for eFample the basic font si/e&
oMo%elFBaseJo2tHeight + 12
To ma+e this change )isible( the formula must be redrawn. The
4Ate0)e),&0t(&'8Be(4mbe))e)8bCe%t property pro)ides some methods that specifically
apply to ;$= obIects&
oKDHEH + oMathHbIe#tFExte2%e%Do2trolHverEmbe%%e%HbIe#t
oKDHEHF8p%ate&'
*s an illustration( here is a macro modifying all formatting of all formulas already written in a
document&
S2b Dha2geJormatJorm8le
oD8rre2tDo2troller + @his,&mp&0e0tFgetD8rre2tDo2troller&'
oTextEo#8me2t + oD8rre2tDo2trollerFMo%el
oEmbe%%e%HbIe#ts + oTextEo#8me2tFEmbe%%e%HbIe#ts
2E2%I2%ex + oEmbe%%e%HbIe#tsFDo82t01
f&( 2I2%ex+/ t& 2E2%I2%ex
oMathHbIe#t + oEmbe%%e%HbIe#tsFgetB4I2%ex&2I2%ex'
oMo%el + oMathHbIe#tFMo%el
if &0&t isL8ll&oMo%el'' the0
if&0&t isEmpt4&oMo%el'' the0
if oMo%elFs8pportsServi#e&-#omFs82FstarF(orm8laFJorm8laProperties-' the0
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oMo%elFBaseJo2tHeight + 11
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M Nariables
oMo%elFJo2tLameNariables+ poli#eDomm82e
oMo%elFJo2tNariablesIsItali#+tr8e
oMo%elFJo2tNariablesIsBol%+(alse
M J82#tio2s
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oMo%elFJo2tJ82#tio2sIsBol%+(alse
M L8mbers
oMo%elFJo2tLameL8mbers+ poli#eDomm82e
oMo%elFJo2tL8mbersIsItali#+(alse
oMo%elFJo2tL8mbersIsBol%+(alse
M Text
oMo%elFJo2tLameText+ poli#eDomm82e
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oMo%elFJo2tTextIsBol%+(alse
M Op%ate
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e0)if M i( (orm8la
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0eAt 2I2%ex
@his,&mp&0e0tFre(ormat&' M Met P Io8r to8s les QlQme2ts %8 %o#8me2t
40) S2b
$, LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
Chec+ help page
8
on (ormu!a.roperties to +now all other properties you can modify.
Formulas in a (ra!4Impress4)alc document
7n a 4raw( 7mpress or Calc document( ;$= obIects are similarly treated as graphics. *fter you ha)e
accessed a particular obIect( test if it is an ;$= obIect( and then if it is a formula. The core of your
macro is then something li+e&
if oShapeFs8pportsServi#e&-#omFs82FstarF%ra5i2gFHLE2Shape-' the0
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oMo%elJorm8la + oShapeFMo%el
oMo%elJorm8laFBaseJo2tHeight + 12
7n this case an eFplicit update is not necessary.
8 http&//api.libreoffice.org/common/ref/com/sun/star/formula/5ormula#roperties.html
Technica! detai!s $5
ath commands 1 2eference
;nary D binary operators
Operation )ommand (isplay
Osign +1 +1
sign "1 1
O/ sign +"1 or pl8smi28s 1 (1 or (1
/O sign "+1 or mi28spl8s 1 )1 or )1
*ddition O a + b a+b
9ubtraction %' a " b ab
4ot product a #%ot b ab
8ultiplication %J' a times b ab
8ultiplication %asteris+' a R b a*b
4i)ision %as a fraction' a over b
a
b
4i)ision %as an operator' a %iv b a+b
4i)ision %with a slash' a S b a,b
Concatenation a #ir# b a-b
4i)ision %with a wide slash' a 5i%eslash b
a
b
.ide bac+slash a 5i%ebslash b
a
b
1oolean not 2eg a .a
1oolean and a a2% b or a T b a/b or a/b
1oolean or a or b or a U b a0b or a0b
1ac+slash a bslash b a1 b
4irect sum a opl8s b a2b
a omi28s b a3b
Tensorial product a otimes b a4b
a o%ot b a5b
a o%ivi%e b a6b
Customi/able unary operator 8oper mo2Hp b monOpb
Customi/able binary operator a boper mo2Hp b a monOp b
$7 LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
2elations
Operation )ommand (isplay
7s eEual a + b a=b
7s not eEual a 1. b or a 2e= b a7b or a7b
$ess than a 1 b or a lt b a!b or a!b
$ess than or eEual to
a 1+ b
a lesla2t b
ab
a8b
`ery small a ll b or a 11 b a9b or a9b
reater than a . b or a gt b a:b or a:b
reater than or eEual to
a .+ b
a gesla2t b
ab
a;b
`ery big a gg b or a .. b a<b or a<b
*pproFimately a approx b a=b
9imilar to a sim b a>b
9imilar to or eEual a sime= b ab
Congruent a e=8iv b a?b
#roportional a prop b a@b
#arallel a parallel b aAb
;rthogonal to a ortho b aBb
4i)ides a %ivi%es b ab
4oes not di)ide a 2%ivi%es b aCb
Toward a to5ar% b ab
*rrow left a %larro5 b aDb
4ouble arrow left and right a %lrarro5 b a&b
*rrow right a %rarro5 b aEb
#recedes a pre# b aFb
9ucceeds a s8## b aGb
#recedes or eEual to a pre##8rl4e= b aHb
9ucceeds or eEual to a s8###8rl4e= b aIb
#recedes or eEual to a pre#sim b aJb
9ucceeds or eEual to a s8##sim b aKb
4oes not precede a 2pre# b aLb
4oes not succeed a 2s8## b aMb
4efinition a %e( b aNb
7mage from a tra2sl b aOb
;rigin from a tra2sr b aPb
Math commands - 8eference $;
@et operations
Operation )ommand (isplay
7s in a i2 B a'B
7s not in a 2oti2 B aQB
;wns A o52s b or A 2i b +Rb
or
+Rb
7ntersection A i2terse#tio2 B +SB
"nion A 82io2 B +TB
4ifference A setmi28s B +1 B
Luotient A slash B +, B
9ubset A s8bset B +UB
9ubset or eEual to A s8bsete= B +VB
9uperset A s8pset B +WB
9uperset or eEual to A s8psete= B +XB
!ot subset A 2s8bset B +YB
!ot subset or eEual A 2s8bsete= B +ZB
!ot superset A 2s8pset B +[B
!ot superset or eEual A 2s8psete= B +\B
=mpty set empt4set ]
*leph aleph ^
9et of natural numbers setL _
9et of integers setV `
9et of rational numbers setW a
9et of real numbers set; b
9et of compleF numbers setD c
&% LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
Functions
Operation )ommand (isplay
*bsolute )alue absa! a
5actorial (a#ta! ad
9Euare root s=rta!
a
n
th
root 2root2!a!
n
a
#ower a:b!
a
b
=Fponential (82# e:a!
e
a
!atural logarithm l2&a' ln(a)
=Fponential function exp&a' eFp(a)
$ogarithm log&a' log(a)
9ine si2&a' sin(a)
Cosine #os&a' cos(a)
Tangent ta2&a' tan(a)
Cotangent #ot&a' cot (a)
-yperbolic sine si2h&a' sinh(a)
-yperbolic cosine #osh&a' cosh(a)
-yperbolic tangent ta2h&a' tanh(a)
-yperbolic cotangent #oth&a' coth(a)
*rcsine ar#si2&a' arcsin(a)
*rccosine ar##os&a' arccos(a)
*rctangent ar#ta2&a' arctan(a)
*rccotangent ar##ot&a' arccot (a)
*rea hyperbolic sine arsi2h&a' arsinh(a)
*rea hyperbolic cosine ar#osh&a' arcosh(a)
*rea hyperbolic tangent arta2h&a' artanh(a)
*rea hyperbolic cotangent ar#oth&a' arcoth(a)
Math commands - 8eference &)
6perators
*ll operators can be used with the limit functions %PfromQ and PtoQ'.
Operation )ommand (isplay
$imit lima! lima
$ower limit limi2(a! lim inf a
"pper limit lims8pa! lim sup a
9um s8ma!

a
#roduct pro%a!
e
a
Coproduc #opro%a!
f
a
7ntegral i2ta!

a
4ouble integral ii2ta!
g
a
Triple integral iii2ta!
h
a
Contour integral li2t a
i
a
4ouble cur)ed integral lli2t a
j
a
Triple cur)ed integral llli2t a
k
a
$ower bound shown with summation
symbol
s8m (rom 3! b

3
b
"pper bound shown with product
symbol
pro% to 3! r
e
3
r
"pper and lower bounds shown with
integral
i2t (rom r9/! to r9t!
a

r
0
r
t
a
Customi/ed operator oper Hp (rom / to 1 a
Op
0
1
a
&< LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
Attributes
Operation )ommand (isplay
*cute accent a#8te a l a
ra)e accent grave a m a
0e)erse circumfleF #he#, a n a
1re)e breve a o a
Circle #ir#le a p a
4ot %ot a q a
4ouble dot %%ot a r a
Triple dot %%%ot a s a
$ine abo)e bar a ta
`ector arrow ve# a %a
Tilde til%e a u a
CircumfleF hat a v a
.ide )ector arrow 5i%eve# ab#
%
abc
.ide tilde 5i%etil%e ab#
u
abc
.ide circumfleF 5i%ehat ab#
v
abc
$ine o)er overli2e ab# abc
$ine under 82%erli2e ab# abc
$ine through overstri,e ab# acb
Transparent %useful to get a placeholder of a
gi)en si/e'
pha2tom a
1old font bol% a a
!ot bold font 2bol% a a
7talic font
9
ital -a- or itali# -a- a or a
!ot italic font 2itali# a a
5ont si/e siGe 1@ =v
q
5ont si/e siGe +12 =v
q
5ont si/e siGe R1F? =v
q
5ollowing item in sans serif font
10
(o2t sa2s =v q
5ollowing item in serif font (o2t seri( =v
qv
9 "nEuoted teFt that is not a command is considered to be a )ariable. `ariables are( by default( italici/ed.
10There are three custom fonts& sans serif %without +ic+s'( serifs %with +ic+s'( and fiFed %non2proportional'.
To change the actual fonts used for custom fonts and the fonts used for )ariables %unEuoted teFt'(
numbers and functions( use Format 4 5onts %see page 2G'.
Math commands - 8eference &3
Operation )ommand (isplay
5ollowing item in fiFed font (o2t (ixe% =v qv
8a+e color of following teFt cyan
11
#olor #4a2 =v q
8a+e color of following teFt yellow #olor 4ello5 =v q
8a+e color of following teFt white #olor 5hite =v q
8a+e color of following teFt green #olor gree2 =v q
8a+e color of following teFt blue #olor bl8e =v q
8a+e color of following teFt red #olor re% =v q
8a+e color of following teFt blac+ #olor bla#, =v q
8a+e color of following teFt magenta #olor mage2ta =v q
8a+e color green returns to default color
blac+
#olor gree2 K =v Fq
1race items to change color of more than one
item
#olor gree2 K =v! Fq
Arackets
Operation )ommand (isplay
roup brac+ets %used for program
control'
a! a
0ound 1rac+ets &a' (a)
9Euare 1rac+ets )bX wbx
4ouble 9Euare 1rac+ets l%bra#,et # r%bra#,et ycz
1races lbra#e 5 rbra#e {w}
*ngle 1rac+ets la2gle % ra2gle {d|
;perator 1rac+ets la2gle a mli2e b ra2gle {a b|
"pper half sEuare brac+ets l#eil a r#eil }a~
$ower half sEuare brac+ets l(loor a r(loor a
9ingle line lli2e a rli2e a
4ouble line l%li2e a r%li2e AaA
9calable round brac+ets
%add the word PleftQ before a left
brac+et and PrightQ before a right
brac+et'
le(t & sta#,a $ b $ G!
right '
(
a
b
1
)
9Euare brac+ets scalable
%as abo)e'
le(t ) a over b right X
w
a
b
x
115or all coloring( the color will apply only to the teFt immediately following the command until the neFt
space is encountered. 7n order to ha)e the color apply to more characters( place the teFt you want in color
in curly brac+ets.
&$ LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
Operation )ommand (isplay
4ouble sEuare brac+ets scalable
le(t l%bra#,et a over b
right r%bra#,et
y
a
b
z
1race scalable
le(t lbra#e a over b
right rbra#e
{
a
b
}
*ngle brac+et scalable
le(t la2gle a over b
right ra2gle
{
a
b
|
;perator brac+ets scalable
le(t la2gle a over b
mli2e # right ra2gle
{
a
b

c
|
"pper half sEuare brac+ets scalable
le(t l#eil a over b
right r#eil
}
a
b
~
$ower half sEuare brac+ets scalable
le(t l(loor a over b
right r(loor

a
b

$ine scalable
le(t lli2e a over b
right rli2e

a
b

4ouble line scalable

le(t l%li2e a over b
right r%li2e
A
a
b
A
"npaired brac+ets
%add le(t before left brac+et and
right before right brac+et'
le(t la2gle a over b
right r(loor
{
a
b

7solated brac+et
le(t lbra#e sta#,
a+2$b+3! right 2o2e {
a=2
b=3
;)er brace scalable
the bra#e is above!
overbra#e a the braceis aboe
a
"nder brace scalable
the bra#e is belo5!
82%erbra#e (!
thebraceis be!ow

f
Math commands - 8eference &&
Formats
Operation )ommand (isplay
0ight superscript a:b!
a
b
0ight subscript a9b! a
b
$eft superscript a ls8pb!
a
b
$eft subscript a ls8bb! a
b
Center superscript a #s8pb!
a
b
Center subscript a #s8bb!
a
b
!ew line asl%,(Io 2e5li2e sa%,(I
as!d9fDo
sad9fD
9mall gap %gra)e' st8(( 6st8(( stuff stuff
$arge gap %tilde' st8((7st8(( stuff stuff
!o gap 2ospa#e x + 4 ! *+2
!ormal x+4 *+2
`ertical stac+ of 2 bi2oma!b!
a
b
`ertical stac+( more than 2 sta#,a $ b $ G!
a
b
1
8atriF
matrix
a $ b $$
# $ %
!
a b
c d
*lign character to left %teFt is aligned
center by default'
sta#,Hello 5orl% $
alig2l&a'!
He!!owor!d
(a)
*lign character to center
sta#, Hello 5orl% $
alig2#&a'!
He!!owor!d
(a)
*lign character to right
sta#, Hello 5orl% $
alig2r&a'!
He!!owor!d
(a)
=Euations aligned at cTc %using
cmatriFc'
matrix
a $ -+- $ alig2lb! $$
! $ -+- $ alig2l#+1!
!
a Tb
Tc+1
=Euations aligned at cTc %using
cphantomc'
sta#,
alig2la! + b $
alig2lpha2toma! + #+1!
!
a Tb
Tc+1
&, LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
6thers
Operation )ommand (isplay
7nfinity i2(i2it4 or i2(t4 or
#artial partial #
!abla 2abla
There eFists exists
There does not eFist 2otexists
5or all (orall

- bar hbar

$ambda bar lamb%abar
0eal part re "
7maginary part im
.eierstrass p 5p
0e)ersed epsilon bac+epsilon
$eft arrow le(tarro5
0ight arrow rightarro5
"p arrow 8parro5
4own arrow %o52arro5
4ots at bottom %otslo5

4ots at middle %otsaxis
4ots )ertical %otsvert
4ots diagonal upward %ots8p or %ots%iag or
4ots diagonal downward %ots%o52
Math commands - 8eference &5
Caution
7n locali/ed )ersions of .riter( the mar+up names of ree+ and special characters
are locali/ed. 7f this document is not locali/ed to the same language( then the names
below ma2 not wor9 for input. You may still use the 9ymbol catalog %5igure D' to
select the desired character by its glyph. This will also display the charactercs
locali/ed mar+up name.
;nce entered( the characters will display properly in any language.
Contrary to commands( special characters are case sensiti)e.
Characters P #reek
7talic characters can be obtained by adding an i after the per cent character. 5or instance( %iPI
instead of %PI .
X*$#-* X1=T* X*88*

X4=$T* X=#97$;!
X:=T* X=T* XT-=T* X7;T* X6*##*
X$*814* X8" X!" XJ7 X;87C0;!
X#7 X0-; X978* XT*" X"#97$;!
X#-7 XC-7 X#97 X;8=*
Xalpha

Xbeta Xgamma

Xdelta Xepsilon
X)arepsilon

X/eta $ Xeta

Xtheta X)artheta
Xiota

X+appa Xlambda - Xmu

Xnu
XFi Xomicron Xpi X)arpi

Xrho

X)arrho

Xsigma X)arsigma

Xtau Xupsilon

Xphi

X)arphi

Xchi

Xpsi

Xomega

Characters P @pecial
9ome special characters correspond to the same symbol as an operator but there is no syntaF
)erification %presence of left or right elements'.
%pertho8sa2% %te2%to %eleme2t '
%2oeleme2t Q %i2(i2ite %a2gle
%a2% / %or 0 %2ote=8al 7
%i%e2ti#al ? %stri#tl4greatertha2 < %stri#tl4lesstha2 9
&7 LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
2eserved words in alphabetic order
* reser)ed word is an eFpression with a particular use and is controlled by $ibre;ffice. You cannot
use it as a )ariable name. To be able to use these words without interference from 8ath( you need
to place them between <. The commented list follows.
6 Y small space. 9ee dgra)eK operator.
: Y superscript. 9ee dhatK and dwidehatK operators.
9 Y subscript
0 Y subtraction
0+ Y c2Oc sign with c2c o)er cOc
F Y pointY need a character before
& Y opening parenthesis
' Y closing parenthesis
) Y opening sEuare brac+et
X Y closing sEuare brac+et
Y opening brac+et for grouping characters
! Y closing brac+et for grouping characters
R Y product
S Y di)ision on one line
Z Y before a brac+et %sEuare brac+et( parenthesis or
brace'( treat it as a normal character. 9ee dbslashK
and dsetminusK operators.
T Y 1oolean operator candc
$ Y separation between elements in a table
$$ Y separation between lines in a matriF
% Y indicate special name %displayed if name not
recogni/ed'
%% Y comment
+ Y addition
+0 Y cO2c sign with cOc o)er c2c
1 Y operator less than
1[. Y indicate placeholder around operators built with
models. 4isplayed as a small sEuare in the formula.
($ and MaD:($ +eys to na)igate through them.
11 Y operator much less than
1+ Y operator less or eEual
1. Y operator different
+ Y operator eEuality
. Y operator greater than
.+ Y operator greater or eEual
.. Y operator much greater than
U Y logical operator or
7 Y large space. 9ee operator dtildeK.
abs Y function absolute )alue
a#8te Y acute accent for one character
aleph Y 1
st
letter of -ebrew alphabet %cardinal number'.
alig2b Y %bottom )ertical alignment'
12
alig2# Y centered hori/ontal alignment
12 These obsolete shortcuts are for align-
bottom( align-mid and align-top( %)ertical
alignments'. Math recogni/es them( but nothing
is changed.
alig2l Y left alignment
alig2m Y %centered )ertical alignment'
12
alig2r Y right alignment
alig2t Y %top )ertical alignment'
12
a2% Y logical operator and
approx Y sign approFimately( two _ one o)er each
ar##os Y function arc cosine
ar##ot Y function arc cotangent
ar#osh Y area hyperbolic cosine
ar#oth Y area hyperbolic cotangent
ar#si2 Y function arc sine
ar#ta2 Y function arc tangent
arsi2h Y function area hyperbolic sinus
arta2h Y function area hyperbolic tangent
ba#,epsilo2 Y upside down epsilon.
bar Y add bar to neFt character.
bi2om Y put 2 elements one o)er each
bla#, Y blac+ color for ccolorc
bl8e Y blue color for ccolorc
bol% Y bold font
boper Y neFt character is treated as a binary operator
%unchanged si/e'
breve Y half circle turned up
bslash Y operator [( as difference
#%ot Y operator c.c for multiplication
#he#, Y upside down circumfleF accent
#ir# Y croundc operator for composition of functions
#ir#le Y add a circle o)er neFt character
#olor Y set color& blac+( blue( cyan( green( magenta(
red( white( yellow
#opro% Y coproduct %upside down e' or direct sum
#os Y function cosine
#osh Y hyperbolic cosine
#ot Y cotangent
#oth Y hyperbolic cotangent
#s8b Y centered subscript
#s8p Y centered superscript
#4a2 Y cyan color for ccolorc
%%%ot Y add three points o)er& triple deri)ati)e in physics
%%ot Y add two points o)er& double deri)ati)e in physics
%e( Y eEual sign with 4=5 o)erwritten
%iv Y di)ide sign c&c with c2c in the middle
%ivi%es Y operator f %9heffer bar'( same as logical sign
dorK
%larro5 Y left double arrow
%lrarro5 Y left and right double arrow %eEui)alent'
Math commands - 8eference &;
%ot Y add a point o)er& deri)ati)e in physics
%otsaxis Y align ... hori/ontally in the middle
%ots%iag Y align three points with a O<Gg slop
%ots%o52 Y align three points with a 2<Gg slop
%otslo5 Y align ... on the bottom
%ots8p Y align three points with a O<Gg slop
%otsvert Y align )ertically 3 points
%o52arro5 Y down arrow
%rarro5 Y right double arrow %imply'
empt4set Y empty set
e=8iv Y eEui)alent %eEual sign with three stri+es'
exists Y there eFist %re)ersed ='
exp Y eFponential function
(a#t Y factorial function %add cHc after'
(ixe% Y font attribute
(o2t Y select a font
(orall Y whate)er %upside down *'
(rom Y goes with ctoc for limits of integrals( sums( etc.
(82# Y transforms a )ariable in function
ge Y greater or eEual( hori/ontal dTK sign
gesla2t Y greater or eEual( obliEue dTK sign
gg Y much greater then cSSc
grave Y add a gra)e accent
gree2 Y green color for ccolorc
gt Y operator plus grand Eue
hat Y add a circumfleF accent
hbar Y stri+ h %h'( reduced #lanc+Ks constant %di)ided by
h'
iii2t Y triple integral( three times integral sign
ii2t Y double integral( twice integral sign
im Y function imaginary part
i2 Y is element of
i2(i2it4 Y infinity symbol
i2(t4 Y infinity symbol
i2t Y simple integral
i2terse#tio2 Y intersection operator
ital Y italici/ed font
itali# Y italici/ed font
lamb%abar Y stri+e lambda
la2gle Y R to open cR...Sc %angular brac+et operator&
langle ... mline ... rangle'
lbra#e Y )isible left brace cUc
l#eil Y left sEuare brac+et without bottom
l%bra#,et Y double left sEuare brac+et
l%li2e Y left double line %norm' cffc
le Y less or eEual( hori/ontal dTK sign
le(t Y neFt character is treated as an opening brac+et
le(tarro5 Y left arrow
lesla2t Y less or eEual( obliEue dTK sign
l(loor Y left sEuare brac+et without top
lim Y limit operator
limi2( Y inferior limit operator
lims8p Y superior limit operator
li2t Y line integral %with a circle'
ll Y much lower than operator
lli2e Y left bar to open absolute )alue cfc
lli2t Y double line integral %with a circle'
llli2t Y triple line integral %with a circle'
l2 Y function natural logarithm
log Y function decimal logarithm
ls8b Y left subscript
ls8p Y left superscript
lt Y operator less than cRc
mage2ta Y magenta color for ccolorc
matrix Y defines a matriF
mi28spl8s Y cOc sign( plus under c2c
mli2e Y )ertical line cfc %angular brac+et operator&
langle ... mline ... rangle'
2abla Y nabla operator( upside down i.
2bol% Y not bold font.
2%ivi%es Y does not di)ide operator( / )ertically stro+ed
2eg Y operator no
2e= Y operator different
2e5li2e Y new line
2i Y in)erted sign is element of
2itali# Y not italic font
2o2e Y combined with cleftc or crightc to indicate in)isible
left or right brac+et
2oti2 Y is not element of operator
2root Y n
th
root
2s8bset Y is not strictly include in operator
2s8bsete= Y is not include or eEual in operator
2s8pset Y re)ersed is not strictly include in operator
2s8psete= Y re)ersed is not include or eEual in operator
o%ivi%e Y operator / in a circle
o%ot Y operator c.c in a circle
omi28s Y operator cc in a circle
oper Y transforms neFt )ariable in a large operator with
limits %li+e j'
opl8s Y direct sum operator( O in a circle
or Y logical operator or( upside down W
ortho Y orthogonal operator( perpendicular symbol
otimes Y tensor product operator( F in a circle
over Y di)ision operator( to write di)ision with hori/ontal
fraction bar
overbra#e Y put neFt element o)er pre)ious one with
an hori/ontal brace
overli2e Y add an hori/ontal bar o)er neFt element
overstri,e Y stri+e2through characters
o52s Y re)ersed is element of
parallel Y parallel operator cffc
partial Y round d for partial deri)ati)e
pha2tom Y in)isible element( to let empty space
,% LibreOffice $.% Math Guide
pl8smi28s Y operator cO2c with cOc o)er
pro% Y product operator( e
prop Y proportional operator
ra2gle Y cSc to close cR...Sc %angular brac+et operator&
langle ... mline ... rangle'
rbra#e Y )isible right brace
r#eil Y right sEuare brac+et without bottom
r%bra#,et Y double right sEuare brac+et
r%li2e Y right double line %norm' cffc
re Y real part function
re% Y red color for ccolorc
r(loor Y right sEuare brac+et without top
right Y neFt character is treated as a closing brac+et
rightarro5 Y right arrow
rli2e Y right bar to close absolute )alue cfc
rs8b Y subscript
rs8p Y superscript
sa2s Y font option
seri( Y font option
setD Y set of compleF numbers
setmi28s Y operator [( subtraction of sets
setL Y set of natural numbers
setW Y set of rational numbers
set; Y set of real numbers
setV Y set of integers
sim Y operator eEui)alent( write one _
sime= Y operator similarly eEual( write a double _
si2 Y function sine
si2h Y function hyperbolic sine
siGe Y change font si/e
slash Y operator slash c/c
s=rt Y operator sEuare root
sta#, Y define a stac+ of elements separated with cZc
s8b Y subscript
s8bset Y strictly include operator
s8bsete= Y include or eEual operator
s8m Y sum operator( j
s8p Y superscript
s8pset Y re)ersed strictly include operator
s8psete= Y re)ersed include or eEual operator
ta2 Y tangent function
ta2h Y hyperbolic tangent function
til%e Y add a tilde c_c o)er neFt character
times Y multiplication operator( cJc
to Y goes with cfromc for limits of integrals( sums( etc.
to5ar% Y arrow to the right
tra2sl Y 2 small Ioined circles( the one of the left is filled
%sign of correspondence 7mage from'
tra2sr Y 2 small Ioined circles( the one of the right is
filled %sign of correspondence ;rigin of'
82%erbra#e Y put neFt element under pre)ious one with
an hori/ontal brace
82%erli2e Y add an hori/ontal bar under neFt element
82io2 Y union operator( "
8oper Y neFt character is treated as a unary operator
%unchanged si/e'
8parro5 Y up arrow
ve# Y add a small arrow o)er neFt character
5hite Y white color for ccolorc
5i%ebslash Y operator with a big c[c
5i%ehat Y add an hat o)er neFt element
5i%eslash Y di)ision operator with a big c/c
5i%etil%e Y add a tilde on neFt element
5i%eve# Y add an arrow o)er neFt element
5p Y .eierstrass p function
4ello5 Y yellow color for ccolorc
Math commands - 8eference ,)
*nde-
A
brac+ets %8ath' 1D
brac+ets commands %8ath' G<
C
characters special %8ath' GC
characters ree+ %8ath' GC
chemical formulas <0
+
deri)ati)e mar+up %8ath' 22
4ocumentation A
$
eEuation
numbering 2D
eEuation editor 11
brac+ets 1D
deri)ati)e mar+up 22
=lements window 13
eEuations o)er more than one line 21
floating window 3<
font si/e 2<
formula layout 1D
limits to sum/integral 21
mar+up 1G
matriF mar+up 1D
right2clic+ menu 1G
F
formats commands %8ath' GA
formula editor
9ee& eEuation editor 3<
formula layout 1D
function commands %8ath' G1
3
-elp system A
*
7nternational 9upport A
5
licensing of $ibre;ffice D
limits to sum/integral 21

mathematical and chemical eEuations 11
mathematical mar+up 1G
mathematical symbols 13
matriF mar+up %8ath' 1D
miscellaneous commands %8ath' GB
:
numbering eEuations 2D
6
;pen 9ource 7nitiati)e %;97' D
2
relational operator commands %8ath' <D
@
support B
;
unary / binary operator commands %8ath' <C
"ser guides A
,< LibreOffice $.% Math Guide