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The document is a problem set for Math 243 at the College of the Holy Cross, focusing on the use of LATEX for mathematical typesetting. It includes instructions on using semantic macros, typesetting mathematical formulas, and modifying code to observe effects in LATEX. Various problems require students to typeset mathematical expressions and explore the functionality of LATEX commands.

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mycocth16
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2 views

MATH243_problem_set_template

The document is a problem set for Math 243 at the College of the Holy Cross, focusing on the use of LATEX for mathematical typesetting. It includes instructions on using semantic macros, typesetting mathematical formulas, and modifying code to observe effects in LATEX. Various problems require students to typeset mathematical expressions and explore the functionality of LATEX commands.

Uploaded by

mycocth16
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Makano Takeuchi

College of the Holy Cross, Fall 2019


Math 243 (Professor Hwang)
Problem Set 0, Due Friday, September 6

In Math 243 we’ll be using the mathematical typesetting software LATEX. Clicking
the link for that week’s assignment opens the assignment in Overleaf.
When using LATEX, instead of worrying about how your writing looks on the page
(the “presentation”) you focus on meaning (the “semantics”).
Typographical effects are achieved through semantic macros such as \emph. A
macro (or command ) is a case-sensitive string starting with a backslash, and accepting
zero or more arguments, each enclosed in curly braces. A macro is semantic if it
specifies what a piece of text means (e.g., is emphasized), not how the text appears
(e.g., is italicized).
Most mathematics is typeset with special macros, as we’ll see. Mathematics must
occur in math mode, i.e., must be surrounded by dollar signs for in-line math, or by
\[ \] pairs for displayed math.

1. This item is automatically numbered. What does that tell you about \item?
Answer It tells me that \item will automatically number the item in numer-
ical order.

2. The double angle formula for the cosine function reads cos(2θ) = cos2 θ − sin2 θ.
(a) Typeset the double angle formula for sine. (Look up this identity if you’ve
forgotten it.)
Answer sin(2θ) = 2sin(θ) cos(θ)
(b) Note that \theta gives the Greek letter θ. Typeset at least six other letters
from the lowercase Greek alphabet. (Be sure your macros are in math mode!)
Answer ϕδγψβα
(c) Do you have a guess about how to get capital Greek letters? (Hint: \Alpha
would be logical; as it happens, however, a capital alpha is a Roman capital A,
so there is no separate macro.) Typeset at least four uppercase Greek letters
that have no Roman equivalent.
Answer Γ∆ΣΦ

3. If y = ϕ(x), and if we write y + ∆y = ϕ(x + ∆x), then

∆y ϕ(x + ∆x) − ϕ(x) dy ∆y


= , = lim .
∆x ∆x dx ∆x→0 ∆x
Modify parts of this code and see what happens. Things to watch for: What
happens if you forget the backslash on a macro name? What happens if you
typeset the line above using dollar signs (inline math mode) instead of display
math? What happens if you add or remove space characters inside math mode?
Answer If you do not include the backlash on a macro name, the Greek letter
is spelled out in English instead of being written as a Greek symbol. If you use
dollar signs instead of display math, it deletes the previously existing break in
the text allotted to the equation. It appears as though nothing changes when
you add or remove characters inside math mode.

4. If a, b, and c are non-zero numbers, and if ax2 + bx + c = 0, typeset the


(quadratic) formula for x in terms of a, b, and c.
Hint: The macro \pm gives a plus-or-minus sign.1
Answer √
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
2a
5. One fundamental theorem of calculus asserts that if f is a continuous function
on a closed, bounded interval [a, b], then
Z x
d
f (t) dt = f (x) for all x with a ≤ x ≤ b.
dx a

(a) Modify parts of this code and see what happens. Hints: \, gives a thin
space, \quad gives one em of space, the width of the letter m in the current font,
\qquad gives two ems. The underscore and caret each accept one argument,
and make a subscript or superscript. The \text command sets its argument in
“paragraph mode”. Why is it needed here?
Answer Without \text, the words ”for all x with...” all become once word
and the computer reads it as part of the math equation instead of as English.
It also allows for the break in the text. (b) Evaluate the following derivatives
and typeset the answers:
Z x Z u Z √
d sin t d t2 d t tan s
e dt; log(1 + e ) dt; ds.
dx 0 du π dt −1 1 + s2

Answer √
tant
u2
esin x log(1 + e )
1 + t2
(c) Typeset the other fundamental theorem of calculus, sometimes known as
the evaluation theorem. Don’t forget to state appropriate hypotheses.
Answer If f is continuous at every point of [a,b], and if F is any anti derivative
of f on [a,b], then
Z b
f (x) dx = F (b) − F (a)
a

1
The tilde character is a tie or non-breaking space. Using ties is a little fussy, but helps distinguish
professional typography. Use a tie where a line break would interrupt the reader’s attention.

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