physPad Examples

The following examples illustrate entry of some common expressions.

Expression

Do this

To display this

An expression with numbers and subscripted variables

  1. Type 1/2 and press
  2. Type m_2 and press
  3. Type +4m_3

1 2 m 2 + 4 m 3

Set notation with fractions

  1. Type (1/9 and press
  2. Type ,2/7 and press
  3. Type ,3/5
1 9 2 7 3 5

A square root

  1. Type sqrt

    The square root symbol is created.

  2. Type gh

g h

A cube root

  1. Click Operations > nth root button
  2. Type 3 and press
  3. Type m_1 and press
  4. Type m_2 and press
  5. Type m_3 and press

m 1 m 2 m 3 3

An expression involving Euler's number

  1. Click Operations > Euler's number button
  2. Type 2

e 2

The natural logarithm of an absolute value

  1. Type ln

    A set of parentheses is automatically added and your insertion point is put in the parentheses.

  2. Type |x

    The closing vertical bar is automatically added.

ln x

An inverse sine

  1. Type sin

    A set of parentheses is automatically added and your insertion point is put in the parentheses.

  2. Press and type ^-1
  3. Press and type x

Although you could type arcsin or use the tool button, this example illustrates how you can enter certain functions using the keyboard alone.

sin -1 x

An expression involving hbar (ħ)

  1. Type 3
  2. Click Symbols > h-bar button
  3. Type ^2

3 ħ 2

A vector in hatted i-j-k form

  1. Type 5
  2. Click Vectors > hat button
  3. Type i and press
  4. Type +24
  5. Click Vectors > hat button
  6. Type j and press
  7. Type +4
  8. Click Vectors > hat button
  9. Type k

5 ı ^ + 24 ȷ ^ + 4 k ^

A vector in vector bracket form

  1. Click Vectors > vector brackets button
  2. Type 12, 15, 22

12 15 22

A vector in bold i-j-k form

  1. Type 5
  2. Click Vectors > i button
  3. Type +24
  4. Click Vectors > j button
  5. Type +4
  6. Click Vectors > k button

5 i + 24 j + 4 k