Mastering JavaScript MathML: Writing Mathematics with MathML
Tags: webdev, beginners, javascript, programming
Published: 2024-06-09 13:55:53


Mathematical Markup Language (MathML) allows you to write complex mathematical expressions in web pages seamlessly. This guide will take you through the essential topics to get started with MathML and explore its various elements.

## MathML First Steps
### What is MathML?
- **Definition**: MathML (Mathematical Markup Language) is an XML-based markup language designed to display mathematical notations.
- **Purpose**: It allows browsers to render mathematical expressions and provides a way to include math in web pages.

### Basic Structure
- **MathML Tags**: `<math>`, `<mrow>`, `<mi>`, `<mo>`, `<mn>`.
- **Example**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <mrow>
            <mi>x</mi>
            <mo>=</mo>
            <mn>5</mn>
        </mrow>
    </math>
    ```

## Getting Started with MathML
### Setting Up MathML
- **Integration**: MathML can be embedded directly in HTML using the `<math>` tag.
- **Browser Support**: Most modern browsers support MathML, but for complete compatibility, consider using MathJax.

### Simple Expression
- **Inline Math**: Adding inline mathematical notation.
    ```html
    <p>The equation is <math><mrow><mi>x</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>5</mn></mrow></math>.</p>
    ```

## MathML Text Containers
### Using `<mrow>` and `<mfrac>`
- **Grouping**: `<mrow>` groups multiple elements together.
- **Example**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <mrow>
            <mi>a</mi>
            <mo>+</mo>
            <mi>b</mi>
        </mrow>
    </math>
    ```

### Fractions
- **Using `<mfrac>`**: Represents fractions.
- **Example**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <mfrac>
            <mi>a</mi>
            <mi>b</mi>
        </mfrac>
    </math>
    ```

## MathML Fractions and Roots
### Fractions
- **Creating Fractions**: Utilizing the `<mfrac>` tag.
- **Example**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <mfrac>
            <mi>1</mi>
            <mi>2</mi>
        </mfrac>
    </math>
    ```

### Roots
- **Square Roots**: Using `<msqrt>`.
- **Example**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <msqrt>
            <mi>x</mi>
        </msqrt>
    </math>
    ```

## MathML Scripted Elements
### Subscripts and Superscripts
- **Subscript (`<msub>`)**: Used for subscript notation.
    ```html
    <math>
        <msub>
            <mi>x</mi>
            <mi>i</mi>
        </msub>
    </math>
    ```

- **Superscript (`<msup>`)**: Used for superscript notation.
    ```html
    <math>
        <msup>
            <mi>x</mi>
            <mn>2</mn>
        </msup>
    </math>
    ```

### Combined Scripts
- **Example**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <msubsup>
            <mi>x</mi>
            <mi>i</mi>
            <mn>2</mn>
        </msubsup>
    </math>
    ```

## MathML Tables
### Creating Matrices
- **Using `<mtable>`**: Represents matrices and tables.
- **Example**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <mtable>
            <mtr>
                <mtd><mi>a</mi></mtd>
                <mtd><mi>b</mi></mtd>
            </mtr>
            <mtr>
                <mtd><mi>c</mi></mtd>
                <mtd><mi>d</mi></mtd>
            </mtr>
        </mtable>
    </math>
    ```

## Three Famous Mathematical Formulas
### Quadratic Formula
- **Expression**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <mi>x</mi>
        <mo>=</mo>
        <mfrac>
            <mrow>
                <mo>-</mo>
                <mi>b</mi>
                <mo>&#xB1;</mo>
                <msqrt>
                    <msup>
                        <mi>b</mi>
                        <mn>2</mn>
                    </msup>
                    <mo>-</mo>
                    <mn>4</mn>
                    <mi>a</mi>
                    <mi>c</mi>
                </msqrt>
            </mrow>
            <mrow>
                <mn>2</mn>
                <mi>a</mi>
            </mrow>
        </mfrac>
    </math>
    ```

### Pythagorean Theorem
- **Expression**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <msup>
            <mi>a</mi>
            <mn>2</mn>
        </msup>
        <mo>+</mo>
        <msup>
            <mi>b</mi>
            <mn>2</mn>
        </msup>
        <mo>=</mo>
        <msup>
            <mi>c</mi>
            <mn>2</mn>
        </msup>
    </math>
    ```

### Euler's Formula
- **Expression**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <mi>e</mi>
        <msup>
            <mi>i</mi>
            <mi>&pi;</mi>
        </msup>
        <mo>+</mo>
        <mn>1</mn>
        <mo>=</mo>
        <mn>0</mn>
    </math>
    ```

## Additional Topics
### MathML Operators
- **Arithmetic Operators**: `+`, `-`, `*`, `/`.
- **Relational Operators**: `=`, `>`, `<`.
- **Example**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <mi>a</mi>
        <mo>+</mo>
        <mi>b</mi>
        <mo>=</mo>
        <mi>c</mi>
    </math>
    ```

### MathML Accents
- **Overlines and Underlines**: Using `<mover>` and `<munder>`.
- **Example**:
    ```html
    <math>
        <mover>
            <mi>x</mi>
            <mo>¯</mo>
        </mover>
    </math>
    ```

### MathML Integrals and Limits
- **Integrals**: Using `<msubsup>` and `<mo>`.
    ```html
    <math>
        <msubsup>
            <mo>&#x222B;</mo>
            <mn>0</mn>
            <mi>∞</mi>
        </msubsup>
        <mi>f</mi>
        <mo>(</mo>
        <mi>x</mi>
        <mo>)</mo>
        <mi>d</mi>
        <mi>x</mi>
    </math>
    ```

- **Limits**: Using `<mo>` and `<munder>`.
    ```html
    <math>
        <munder>
            <mo>lim</mo>
            <mrow>
                <mi>x</mi>
                <mo>→</mo>
                <mn>0</mn>
            </mrow>
        </munder>
        <mrow>
            <mi>f</mi>
            <mo>(</mo>
            <mi>x</mi>
            <mo>)</mo>
        </mrow>
    </math>
    ```

## Conclusion
MathML is a powerful tool for embedding mathematical notation in web pages, providing a wide range of elements and functionalities. From basic expressions to complex equations and matrices, MathML ensures your mathematical content is displayed accurately and beautifully.

Start experimenting with MathML in your projects today, and bring the world of mathematics to your web pages with ease!