37 min read
Equations & Mathematical Content
Equation editor, numbering, and LaTeX input.
Open the equation editor
The sixth-form maths appendix needs the quadratic formula — typed characters look amateur; Insert → Equation opens the structured editor.
Click Insert → Equation → Insert New Equation. The Equation tab appears with Fraction, Script, Radical, and Symbols. Build fractions with the fraction template, not slash marks.
Built-in structures and LaTeX
Design → Equation → Ink Equation (pen/tablet) or gallery picks like Area of Circle. For power users, Convert → LaTeX accepts -b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a when Linear format is enabled.
Professional vs Linear display toggles on the Equation tab — Professional is what parents see in print.
Number equations on the right
Numbered equations help cross-references in the appendix. Place cursor at end of equation → References → Insert Caption → Label Equation → Word adds (1) on the right.
Cross-reference with References → Cross-reference → type Equation — never type "(1)" manually.
Hands-on steps
Goal
Insert and number the quadratic formula in the sixth-form appendix.
James Okonkwo adds this to NorthgateHandbook.docx as part of one polished student handbook, policy pack, and open-day collateral before families arrive.
New equation
Where
Do this
You should see
- Equation placeholder centred.
Verification
Check your work
You are correct if all of these are true:
- Quadratic formula appears as a professional equation — not plain text with slashes.
- Equation number (1) sits on the right and updates if you add an earlier equation.
- Cross-reference in prose points to the correct equation number.
More lessons in Microsoft Word · Next: Symbols & Special Characters · Previous: Themes