Difference between revisions of "Help:Math"

Revision as of 16:25, 1 October 2007

Intro

Mathematics can be displayed on SolarSailWiki pages using ASCIIMathML, which requires Javascript and MathML to be used fully. ASCIIMathML has a simple syntax for expressing equations that is converted to MathML which can be rendered by newer web browsers. Browsers that support MathML are:

• Internet Explorer - using the plugin Mathplayer
• Mozilla Firefox
• Mozilla
• Mozilla SeaMonkey

Getting MathML to work

For Internet Explorer, download and install the Mathplayer plugin.

Mozilla-based browsers do have MathML support built-in, but they may require additional steps to get it working. In particular, the fonts can be a problem, as discussed in this page on Fonts for MathML-enabled Mozilla. Take a look at that page for operating-specific instructions. In general, the approach is:

• Windows - Download and install the fonts required.
• MacOS - Download and install the fonts required.
• Linux - This requires more work, so it is discussed in more detail on its own page Help:MathML in Linux. Firefox may require additional steps.

ASCIIMathML

For detailed ASCIIMathML usage, look at the ASCIIMathML syntax. ASCIIMath is contained in backquotes: \`...\` Literal back-quotes are typed by preceding them with a back-slash: \ For example, typing: \\` will look like: \`

As an example, the cube-root of a-times-x plus x-squared can be expressed using the code:

\`root3 (a x + x^2)\`

This is displayed in MathML as: `root3 (a x + x^2)`

Go the the Sandbox to try it out.

Some other examples:

The acceleration of a solar sail due to solar pressure `vec a_s` given the position vector from the sun to the sail `vec r_s` is:

`vec a_s = a_c (AU^2)/(r_s^2) ( vec r_s * vec n)^2 vec n`

where `a_c` is max sail acceleration at Earth's distance from the sun (1 AU), `AU` is the length of an astronomical unit, `r_s` is the magnitude of `vec r_s`, and `vec n` is the unit vector normal to the sail surface.