Entering algebraic expressions |
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Entering and editing algebraic expressions Once you start the program, click on the Entering fractions and mixed numbers
Below is a brief overview of some common editing issues:
Exiting a sub-expression Generally, WYSIWYG (‘What You See Is What You Get’) expression entry is pretty intuitive and should require little explanation. One of the features that does deserve a closer look is ‘sub-expression exit’.
Let’s start with an example: Imagine you want to enter Notice that "b" is now in the exponent, and this is probably not what you wanted. In order to ‘exit’ the exponent you simply need to press the Notice that the size of the cursor is a good indicator of exactly where you are located within the sub-expression.
Here is another example of how the cursor indicates sub-expression position:
Here is another example, this time showing ‘exiting’ from the radical:
Remember this simple rule: the right arrow key will take you one level ‘up’ (to the next larger sub-expression) within your expression.
Moving around an expression The quickest way to move to another part of an expression is by clicking the mouse on the desired expression segment. If you prefer keyboard input, you can also use the arrow keys – but remember to always keep an eye on the cursor size – the same rules that apply to expression exit also apply to movement:
Example of left arrow movement:
Selecting, copying, cutting and pasting sub-expressions These operations can be done with standard mouse click-and-drag as well as with <Shift> arrow key combinations. Note that cutting ‘across’ expressions such as Here, a press of either the backspace or delete keys will remove the extra space-holder.
Space-holders and editing When you enter an expression such as:
delete b and decide to move to another part of the expression:
the algebraic editor will insert a space-holder in place of b. You will have to ‘resolve’ that space-holder before being able to solve the problem (either by entering something in its place, or by deleting it). Note that deleting the space-holder in this particular case will actually delete the fraction and replace it by its former numerator (a).
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