Using Mathematica to Output MathML 2.5 2003/01/29 2004/07/13 15:30:32.960 GMT-5 Adan Galvan jago@rice.edu Adan Galvan jago@rice.edu content mathml mathematica mathml This module shows how to use Mathematica to output content MathML for use in Connexions modules.

Introduction In short, Mathematica is a powerful math program that can be used to manipulate, evaluate, and solve mathematical equations. One of the features new to recent versions of Mathematica is the ability to output MathML. This includes the support of content MathML as well as presentation MathML. This document will show you how to use Mathematica to output content MathML to input into CNXML documents. This method of creating content MathML only works in Mathematica 4.2 and above. We recommend you use at least version 5.0.

Mathml Content Notebook I have created a simple MathML notebook that anyone can use to set up Mathematica to output content MathML. The sample notebook is available as a download from this module.

Using the Notebook There are a few steps you will have to follow to use the notebook: Start Mathematica Load the content_MathML.nb by clicking the file -> open.. menu option. Evaluate the notebook by clicking the Kernel -> Evaluation -> Evaluate Notebook menu option. Evaluating the notebook actually sets the options that we need. If you do not evalute the notebook, the options will not be set. Once you have followed these steps and ensured that there are no errors, you can proceed to the next step. This document does not have any operating-system-specific info. For example, there will be no info on how to start Mathematica since this varies depending on what operating system the user is working with.

Exporting Content Mathml Follow the instructions below to use Mathematica palettes: Open the palette by clicking the File -> Palettes-> Basic Input menu option. (If it is not already open on startup.) Build the equation you wish to export into MathML using the palette. Now that you have created the equation using whatever method you have chosen, it is time to export the equation as MathML. Highlight the equation you wish to export Copy the equation as MathML by clicking the edit -> copy as -> MathML menu option.(This will put the equation into a buffer that you will not see!) Paste the equation in the appropriate place in your CNXML document That's it! You now have content MathML embedded into your CNXML document.

Problems to Look Out For There may be a few differences in the format of the math that comes out of Mathematica. Following is a list of possible problems to look out for. This list will be updated as problems are found. If you plan to have your equations numbered you will need to have the MathML inside of an equation tag. When exporting an equation that has a radical, the exported math will not use the root tag, but instead will export math with a power. For example, if you attempt to export the square root of two, the resulting MathML will be two to the one-half power. You may need to delete the extraneous xmlns:mathematica and mathematica:form attributes from the MathML output. If you encounter a problem contact techsupport@cnx.rice.edu.