Word Processing for Mathematical Writing

Using a word processor for mathematical writing has the same advantages as for other kinds of writing: better clarity, a more professional appearance, and convenience in editing and making corrections.  Of course, mathematical writing requires some additional formatting capabilities not needed for other subjects.  Some options will be discussed below.  Also, there are some style conventions that you should follow.  Variables should be italicized, equations that you want to refer to should be centered and numbered, and so on.   This is explained in greater detail here.

Using MS Word.   There is an equation editor in MS word that is useful for formatting complicated mathematical expressions.  You can find it using pull down menus as follows: 
     Insert   >>  Object   >>   Microsoft Equation 3.0.  (This is illustrated below).



Once the equation editor opens, you select mathematical objects (such as sums, integrals, fractions, matrices, exponents) from a menu and fill in text fields as needed.  With a little practice this is quite easy to use.

LaTeX.  A widely used text formatting system for technical writing is called LaTeX (pronounced lah-tek).  A convenient free software package based on LaTeX is called LyX.  You can find it at http://www.lyx.org/Home.  I have not used this software, but I think Prof. Enayat knows about it.