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Help:Reading math
From SlugmathWiki
How can I get math to look right in pages?
Rendering mathematics accurately and quickly in web pages is a complex process, and there are numerous ways that this can be done. We have chosen to use the jsMath package to render mathematics within this wiki. The rendering takes place in a number of steps, when you view a page that contains mathematics:
- The page data is transferred to your computer.
- A javascript program, called jsMath is transferred to your computer.
- The jsMath program is run, on your computer, in order to process the page data into proper looking mathematical symbols.
- You view a very pretty page of mathematical content.
In order to render the mathematical symbols, the jsMath program requires your computer to have certain fonts. It can be set up, via the jsMath control panel, to use four font families, two of which we describe below:
- The best looking, and fastest for frequent users, are the "Native jsMath Fonts". You can download and install these fonts on your computer, and they will be used automatically when jsMath renders mathematics.
- Without downloading these fonts, you can use the "Native Unicode Fonts", which are already in place on most computers. This option does not require any additional installation, though you must select this option from the jsMath control panel.
- If you are on a page with mathematical content, the jsMath control panel is accessible by clicking the small gray rectangle labelled by "jsMath", in the bottom right corner of the window.
For optimal experiences, we recommend using Firefox, Safari, or Google Chrome. Especially, Google Chrome runs very quickly, with an extremely fast javascript engine.
What do the colors mean in proofs?
We have chosen to use special colors and layout in mathematical proofs, to maximize logical clarity. This includes the following:
- Green backgrounds at the beginning of a proof, to state the initial hypotheses.
- Red backgrounds at the end of a proof, to state the conclusion.
- Blue backgrounds at the beginning of a proof by contradiction, to state the initial supposition, which will later be contradicted.
- Gray backgrounds to describe the cases, in a case-by-case or inductive argument.
- Nested proofs, to keep track of sub-arguments.
How can I use semantic links to aid navigation?
From any page, click on the left sidebar link, labelled "browse properties". Clicking on this link will display "semantic links" related to the content, including logical reliance. One can use these links to figure out the deductive structure of mathematics, tracing back from complicated theorems and definitions back to the basic axioms of set theory.

