Writing Properly Formatted Math in Stemble

When a question asks you to explain your work, you can include properly formatted math right inside your written response. You do not need to know any special math code: Stemble has a built-in math keyboard that can help.

TL;DR

Select Σ (Math) in the toolbar, then type your equation. Use the arrow keys to move through the equation or return to your regular text.

If you already know LaTeX, you can also type an expression between single dollar signs, such as $x^2$ .

Add math to your response

Click where you want the math to appear.
Select Σ (Math) in the toolbar above the response box.
Type your math in the box that appears.
When you are finished, click outside the math box or press the right arrow until your cursor moves back into the regular response box.

That’s it! Your math will stay neatly formatted as part of your response.

Tip: You can also press Ctrl/Command + Shift + 0 to open a math box.

Type fractions, exponents, roots, and symbols

Stemble formats many common expressions as you type. Here are a few examples:

If you type	Stemble creates
`1/2`	A stacked fraction
`x^2`	An exponent
`x_1`	A subscript
`sqrt`	A square root
`pi`	π
`alpha`	α
`<=`	≤
`!=`	≠

The arrow keys are especially helpful when building an equation. Use them to move between the top and bottom of a fraction, leave an exponent, or move out of the math box.

For example, after typing an exponent, press the right arrow before entering the next part of your equation. Otherwise, Stemble may keep adding characters to the exponent.

Use the math keyboard on a phone or tablet

When you tap a math box on a touchscreen device, Stemble opens an on-screen math keyboard.

Choose a section at the top of the keyboard based on what you need:

123 for numbers, operations, fractions, roots, and powers
∞≠∈ for mathematical symbols, arrows, and comparisons
abc for letters
αβγ for Greek letters

Find more symbols

Some keys have extra options:

Select Shift (⇧) to see alternate characters.
Press and hold a key to see related versions of that symbol.

For example, pressing and holding the 3 key gives you options such as a cube root, one-third, and an exponent of three.

Edit or delete math

To make a change, click or tap the formatted math. The math box will reopen so you can edit it.

To delete it, remove everything inside the math box. If an empty box remains, press Backspace once more.

An empty math box may appear as a grey, dashed $...$ box. This is only a placeholder. Click it to add math, or delete it if you no longer need it.

Already know LaTeX?

You can type LaTeX directly into a written response by placing it between single dollar signs:

Stemble Tip: Our team finds that LaTeX is often the quickest and easiest way to write math once you know a few common commands. The built-in math keyboard is great for getting started, but try the examples below—you may be surprised by how quickly LaTeX starts to feel natural!

The area is $\pi r^2$ square metres.

After you type the second dollar sign, Stemble turns the code into formatted math.

Make sure there are no spaces immediately inside the dollar signs. Type $x^2$ , not $ x^2 $ .

Here are a few useful examples:

You want	Type
A fraction	$\frac{1}{2}$
A square root	$\sqrt{2}$
An exponent with more than one digit	$x^{10}$
A subscript with a word	$C_{\text{initial}}$
Plus or minus	$\pm$
Less than or equal to	$x \leq 5$
Approximately equal to	$x \approx 3.14$
A Greek letter	$\alpha$
Scientific notation	$6.02 \times 10^{23}$
A logarithm	$\log(x)$
A value with units	$5.0\,\text{mol}$
A summation	$\sum_{i=1}^{n} x_i$
A definite integral	$\int_0^1 x\,dx$

LaTeX uses braces to keep parts of an expression together. For example, the braces in x^{10} tell Stemble that both digits belong in the exponent.

Write a chemical formula or equation

To format chemistry inside a written response, place the formula inside \ce{ }:

$\ce{2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O}$

Stemble will add the subscripts and format the reaction arrow.

If the question gives you a special chemical-equation box, use that instead. It is designed specifically for entering and balancing chemical equations.

Something not working?

I’m stuck in an exponent or fraction

Press the right arrow to move to the next part of the equation. Keep pressing it to leave the math box and continue writing normally.

My LaTeX did not turn into math

Check that you used one dollar sign at each end and did not leave spaces just inside them. Every opening brace { also needs a closing brace }.

My math appears in red

There is likely a small typo in the LaTeX. Click the math and check for a missing brace or an incomplete command.

I cannot see the Σ button

The math button only appears in response boxes that support formatted text. Some questions use a separate box for entering a number, calculation, or chemical equation.

I still cannot enter the math I need

Write it as clearly as you can using regular text. For example, you can enter (x + 1) / 2. A clearly written answer is always better than leaving the response blank.