Help

Introduction

This page aims to offer information on how to use SearchOnMath.

Our tips relate basically to keyboard functionalities for inputting the mathematical formulas to be searched.
To search for textual content, simply type (or paste) the text of interest and click on the search button, just like in a traditional search engine.

T_eX and L^aT_eX

SearchOnMath uses the T_eX (or L^aT_eX) language for mathematical expressions. If you already have a formula in this format, all you have to do is click on "Add Formula", which will insert the symbols \( and \) in the search field.
Your formula is to be inserted between them, as in \(E=mc^2\). You'll see that the formula is rendered in the field right above (we use MathJax for rendering).
If an error occurs in the rendering phase, go back to the T_eX/L^aT_eX expression and make sure that the portion causing the error is fixed.
If you find no mistakes despite the problems in rendering, you may go ahead and proceed with the search anyway.

Problem rendering \sinx (without space between \sin and x)

A keyboard with the main mathematical symbols is also available to assist you in assembling formulas.
The symbols are organized into the following tabs: General, Calculus, Relational, Arrow, Set, Geometry, Logic, Greek, Misc (Miscellaneous).

Expanded keyboard

Though at first it may seem daunting, with only a little practice we guarantee you'll even learn the syntax of the main TeX/LaTeX commands. :)

Textual elements

You can also add textual elements to your query, always making sure that they appear outside the symbols \( and \).

By default, SearchOnMath considers textual elements as optional, but at least one of them will be present in the returned results.

For example, consider the following query:

Searching for both text and math formulas

Each result will have a similar formula and at least one of the words: "Einstein's", "formula", "revolutionized" or "physics". A document containing a perfect match for the submitted formula and both words is likely to have a better rank value.

Working on a new query in the results page

To make textual elements mandatory, you must enclose them between " and ". This means that the following query will return results where the exact phrase "special relativity" must be present:

Results where "special relativity" are present.

Word suggestion

If you submit one or more words for which SearchOnMath could not find any document containing such word, the word suggestion mechanism will include one or more similar words in your query. This may be helpful in the case of typos, for example. Since textual elements are optional, including more words in your query tends to produce more useful results, and will help SearchOnMath find relevant documents that would not be returned in the case of a user having committed a typo.

When typos are detected, the search result brings the predicted user intent first, but allows to try with the exact search terms.

Quick related search results

Each formula is displayed with the icons for comparing and searching. The compare icon displays the complete formula, whereas the search icon submits the result to be searched. It is disabled if the formula is identical to the searched one.

Example of a displayed result

You can compare the result formula with the search result when clicking on the info icon. It opens a dialog with both formulas; original on top and comparing on bottom.

Clicking on them will expand and show the original equation which renders the formulas. Usually formulas are rendered by L^aT_eX, but we also support rendering AsciiMath and displaying equations from MathWorld domain.