| subscript | <_> (if smartScripts is true) | ||
| superscript | <^> (if smartScripts is true) | ||
| frac | <CTL CMD F> | ||
| sqrt | <CTL CMD R> | ||
| nth root | |||
| one parameter | <CTL CMD 1> | ||
| two parameters | <CTL CMD 2> |
The Formulas submenu contains LaTeX commands commonly used to build up even the simplest mathematical expressions. There are commands for typesetting subscripts and superscripts, fractions (which used to be difficult to typeset), square roots, and arbitrary nth roots. There are also one and two-parameter LaTeX commands, which allow the user to type in a command name on-the-fly. Next to latex.tcl's environment commands, the formula commands are most useful. (In fact, it pays to memorize their command key equivalents.)
While we're talking about the Formulas submenu, let me say a little bit about latex.tcl's ability to parse fractions. How many times have you found yourself wanting to recast a horizontally typeset fraction such as
$x = (-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac})/(2a)$
in a corresponding ``vertical'' form
$$x = \frac{(-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac})}{(2a)}$$
Obviously, such an operation involves a lot of cutting and pasting,
and I used to avoid it like the plague. Well, now all you have to do
is select the text you want converted (in this case, all the text
inside the dollar signs except ``x = ``) and then choose the
frac command from the Formulas submenu on LaTeX menu.
The rest is automatic. (Now if only I could get it to automatically
remove the redundant parentheses...)