Knowledge Base Article

## Help with AsciiMath

AsciiMath is used by vCalc to render (display) mathematical expressions in a way more understandable to the viewer.

## AsciiMath in the Equation and Constant Markup

ASCIIMath is a an easy-to-write markup language for mathematics. See http://asciimath.org/.

For example, the following vCalc Markup code for the Volume of the Frustum of a cone, provides an example of this:

1/3 * pi * h(a^2+a * b+b^2)  .... is rendered in AsciiMath as 1/3 * pi * h(a^2+a * b+b^2)

AsciiMath has many features for rendering math symbols.  These are useful for complex math expressions including Greek characters, vector and matrix operators.  For a full description of its capabilities, go to http://asciimath.org/

Ascii Math Markup Example

## AsciiMath in the Wiki

AsciiMath is also employed in the wiki.  In the normal equation or constant editor, Asciimath in Equation Labelsany text that is placed between back ticks, is forced to be interpreted as AsciiMath code.  This can be very helpful in rendering realistic math in your wiki pages.

## AsciiMath in Equation Labels

Furthermore, the labels for an equation's input parameters are also treated as AsciiMath to allow the labels to accurately depict the intent of the equation displayed markup.  For example (see graphic), the equation y = 3 * sin(alpha) appears with the Greek character alpha if in the Markup tab for this equation and subsequently we need the input parameter to be labeled "alpha"(alpha) in the label of the input parameter.  So, we enter alpha in the Markup field of the input parameter as shown in the graphic.

Note both the Markup field and the Label field of the input parameter are interpreted as ASCIIMath and do not require back ticks.  To make text in theses fields display as just text, surround the text with double quotation marks.  In the example of the graphic, you see the words "input angle" is surrounded by double quotation marks.  This the Label field in this example will be displayed as:

(alpha) input angle.