User's Manual

Complex Formulas
Matrices
Matrices are done through the matrix command. The basic syntax is:
Display Command
a b
c d
matrix { a # b ## c # d }
A single “#” symbol is used to separate entries within a given row. Two “#” symbols are
used to separate different rows.
One of the first problems people have with matrices is working with brackets. Regular
brackets have a fixed size, which doesn't fit well with matrices (see the table below).
OOoMath provides “scalable brackets”. These brackets adjust in size (“scale”) to fit the size
of their contents. To obtain scalable brackets, use the left( and right) commands.
Display Command Type
det 
a b
c d

det ( matrix { a # b ## c # d } ) normal
det

a b
c d

det left( matrix { a # b ## c # d } right) scalable
Tip: Use left[ and right] to obtain square brackets.
Derivatives
To write a derivative, or a partial derivative, use the “over” command. That is, treat it as if it
were a fraction. For higher-order derivatives, use the ^ symbol, like an exponent.
Display Command
df t 
dt
=
∂ f
∂ x
dx
dt

∂ f
∂ y
dy
dt
{df(t)} over {dt} = {partial f} over {partial x} {dx } over {dt}
+ {partial f} over {partial y} {dy } over {dt}
Math Objects 4