How can I efficiently do pencil and paper calculations electronically?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the challenges and experiences of transitioning from traditional pencil and paper calculations to electronic methods for mathematical work. Participants explore various tools and approaches, particularly focusing on LaTeX and its alternatives, while expressing their preferences and frustrations with current options.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to eliminate pencil and paper for mathematics, seeking an efficient electronic method that does not involve computer algebra systems.
  • Another participant suggests that while LaTeX is the closest option available, it still cannot match the speed and intuitiveness of writing by hand.
  • A participant recounts their experience of a friend who could typeset notes in LaTeX during class, emphasizing the need for practice to achieve proficiency.
  • Some participants note that LaTeX is faster than tools like Equation Editor or MathType, but still slower than traditional methods.
  • One participant mentions their comfort with LaTeX but struggles with the rendering process, finding it less natural for derivations compared to writing on paper.
  • Another participant describes their workflow using LaTeX, including the use of LED for editing and the occasional need to resort to drawing tools for diagrams.
  • A participant highlights the effectiveness of LyX as a simplified version of LaTeX, suggesting it may be quicker for some users.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that while LaTeX and similar tools can be useful, they do not fully replicate the ease and speed of traditional pencil and paper methods. Multiple competing views on the effectiveness of different tools and approaches remain present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of proficiency with LaTeX and other tools, indicating that individual experiences may significantly influence their opinions on efficiency and usability. There are also mentions of personal preferences for specific writing instruments and paper types, which may affect their overall satisfaction with electronic methods.

seneika
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Hi

I want, once and for all, to abolish pencil and paper in my studies. At least in what
concern mathematics. I mean, I want to do my "pencil and paper calculations"
electronically.

Note that I'm not talking about using any computer algebra system.

The problem is that I haven't found any satisfying mean for that. Until now, I've tried
WYSYWYG Latex editors, like Lyx and Texmacs, but none of them provides a "natural"
enviroment for this purpose (not to say "standard" Latex typesetting).

Have anyone there done this already?
Any suggestions?

Cheers.
 
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Err... so you want an easy, intuitive way to take math notes electronically?

It doesn't exist afaik. LaTeX is as close as you can get- once you get good at it, you can typeset very quickly. With things like Equation Editor or MathType you're stick fooling around with buttons, which is a huge waste of time. There's a reason why pencil and paper remain the quickest way for writing down equations accurately.
 
In undergrad, I had a friend that was sufficiently proficient in LaTeX that he typeset his notes (with mathematical notation / equations) IN CLASS! Practice, practice, practice...

For my part (and not having a laptop at the time) I was content with paper and pen.
 
fss said:
LaTeX is as close as you can get- once you get good at it, you can typeset very quickly.
I would say "fairly quickly", and only in comparison to things like Equation Editor or MathType.

Compared to pencil and paper, pencil and paper still wins hands down.
 
D H said:
I would say "fairly quickly", and only in comparison to things like Equation Editor or MathType.

Compared to pencil and paper, pencil and paper still wins hands down.

Sure. I agree with that.


About Latex, I'm quite used to. I can type without any WYSIWYG editor, but only - after - I have what to type.

I don't know if it is because of the rendering process (I mean, you need to run latex to see the thing)
but I can't use it to do derivations, you know, the hard work. It's not as natural as facing the paper and writing with a pencil.

I mentioned such editors because they have real-time rendering. At least Lyx has.

I have a friend fan of 'Scientific Workplace', which haven't tried yet. (To be honest, I don't think I will, since I'm trying only open-source options).

I just wish there was a way of writing equations without too much intervention of the text editor and without having to write lines and lines of source
code without "seeing" the thing (a least to me this is a problem if I want to keep a line of thought).

To summarize. I can use latex to write a paper. But I can't use it while proving a theorem or solving exercises...

Have any of you tried this transition, or know someone who did. I would so much like to know a good way...

Cheers, folks!
 
I use latex to do this a lot of the time, various algebraic manipulations, integrals, etc. If you start with something whose code is right, I just do it all in the code. Copy-paste, replace this, etc. While I can update it to see it on the right with the push of a button. (I use LED to do latex editing, it has a preview pane)

If that gets too tough, or I have to draw some diagrams to think, I pop open MSPaint and do things in that with my mouse, though its messy.


But that's only when nothing else is available. Nothing beats plain, unlined bright white printer paper and a new Pilot G-2. I go through reams of it... And the pen is my favorite. If you guys haven't used it, I highly recommend it. Especially on bright white. (a ream is about 4 bucks around here, that's cheaper than most 3-subject notebooks, and a lot more paper).

EDIT:
Also, I've come to a point where I no longer even look at the preview pane to be honest. I look at the source. Maybe it's from years of using mathematica, but Latex source is pretty WYSIWYG once you can "read" it. Its just much slower reading.
 
I have heard that people can get pretty quick with Lyx. It's a simplified version of LaTeX...

http://www.lyx.org/"
 
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