Tool for Creating Calculus Expressions

[Underhill]

I read the forum rules regarding posting strictly in the format laid out; I hope this is a legitimate post. Thanks for understanding!

Homework Statement

As a Calculus II student in high school, I have been in increasing need of a means to create calculus expressions that can be emailed or manipulated digitally.

Would any of you experienced forum members have any suggestions for me?

Homework Equations

Free, online or downloadable, calculus expression-maker tool.

The Attempt at a Solution

I've searched online for Latex editors, as I've heard that these are used for this purpose. However, I was unable to find a free solution. I've tried to scan handwritten expressions, but this process takes too long and the resulting JPG is hard to manage once I get it onto the computer.

I also thought of Wolfram Alpha, but was unable to use it to make custom expressions.

P.S. I just noticed your "Quick Symbols" box; what tool is this based on?

 

[spamiam]

I've searched online for Latex editors, as I've heard that these are used for this purpose. However, I was unable to find a free solution.

Really? I use TeXShop, which is free. I think it only works on Macs, but I think there is an equivalent for machines running Windows. Look here: http://www.ctan.org/starter.html and here: http://www.tug.org/interest.html#free.

 

[LCKurtz]

The symbols in these forums are based on TeX. There are many versions of TeX, some including editors. You might try LyX. Just google it. Another option is Miktex.

 

[Underhill]

Thanks, guys!

The links spamiam provided helped me understand what TeX and LaTex are - something I didn't know before. I followed LCKurtz's advice and googled Lyx. I'm downloading it now from Lyx.org as it seems to be exactly what I want - an easy-to-understand processor similar to Word except it is free and designed to handle mathematical expressions and other complex typesetting.