# Thread: LyX - free tool for TeX formula editing

1. ## LyX - free tool for TeX formula editing

Hi,
I was also pleased to see TeX used to print formulas. I used LaTeX to write my PhD thesis but that was 20 years ago and my knowledge of the TeX syntax has evaporated since.
However, I remembered a nice program called LyX (https://www.lyx.org/). To my amazement LyX is still alive and doing well! So I installed it on my laptop (from standard Ubuntu repository in my case but there seems to be LyX for Windows as well), wrote a simple formula, exported it into TeX and voila...

$\displaystyle \Phi=\int_{0}^{\omega}xsin(\frac{x}{2\pi})dx$

Anyway I thought LyX may come handy here.

2. ## Re: LyX - free tool for TeX formula editing

Originally Posted by troymius
Hi,
I was also pleased to see TeX used to print formulas. I used LaTeX to write my PhD thesis but that was 20 years ago and my knowledge of the TeX syntax has evaporated since.
However, I remembered a nice program called LyX (https://www.lyx.org/). To my amazement LyX is still alive and doing well! So I installed it on my laptop (from standard Ubuntu repository in my case but there seems to be LyX for Windows as well), wrote a simple formula, exported it into TeX and voila...

$\displaystyle \Phi=\int_{0}^{\omega}xsin(\frac{x}{2\pi})dx$

Anyway I thought LyX may come handy here.
We do have a Tex editor on the site but, hey, the more the merrier. Perhaps it will be easier to learn for some.

-Dan

3. ## Re: LyX - free tool for TeX formula editing

Ah - I thought there would be an on site TeX formula editor but for the life of me I can't figure out how to invoke it.

4. ## Re: LyX - free tool for TeX formula editing

Originally Posted by troymius
Ah - I thought there would be an on site TeX formula editor but for the life of me I can't figure out how to invoke it.
You have to type the code out yourself but to invoke it you put it between  tags.

Sorry, I shouldn't have referred to it as an "editor."

-Dan

5. ## Re: LyX - free tool for TeX formula editing

I see. Well with LyX one does not need to learn much about the TeX syntax - which seems to be an issue for some users. Anyway, just a thought. Good night.

6. ## Re: LyX - free tool for TeX formula editing

I coded something similar for vBulletin:

7. ## Re: LyX - free tool for TeX formula editing

Originally Posted by troymius
I see. Well with LyX one does not need to learn much about the TeX syntax - which seems to be an issue for some users. Anyway, just a thought. Good night.
Why is having to learn LaTeX syntax a bad thing? In fact, I can make a strong case that having to learn the syntax actually increases understanding of the mathematics.
1) it forces the correct usage of grouping symbols.
2) it makes using fractions much more natural.
3) it forces one to use exponents and roots more exactly.
4) and much more.