Contextual tab examples

This reference provides practical examples of using the Contextual tab to modify mathematical structures in MathType.

To access these features, open MathType and select the Contextual tab. Place the cursor inside a mathematical structure, or select a specific symbol, to display the commands available for that element.

For a general description of the tab, see Contextual tab.

Align a system of equations

The Relation align command aligns multiple equations at their first relation symbol, such as =, ≤, or ≠.

1. Enter each equation on a separate line.
2. Place the cursor anywhere inside the group of equations.
3. Open the Contextual tab and select Relation align.

MathType aligns the equations automatically at their first relation symbol.

Align matrix columns

The Contextual tab lets you set the horizontal alignment of each matrix column independently. You can use this feature to align the entries of a matrix or to arrange the corresponding terms in a system of equations.

Align entries in a matrix

Place the cursor in a matrix column and select the required alignment from the Contextual tab. The selected alignment is applied to every entry in that column. Repeat the process for any other columns you want to modify.

Align terms in a system of equations

You can also use a matrix structure to align corresponding terms in a system of equations. Place each type of term in a separate column, for example, the terms containing x, the terms containing y, the relation symbols, and the constant terms.

Place the cursor in each column and use the Contextual tab to apply the appropriate alignment. This keeps corresponding terms vertically aligned across all equations.

Unlike Relation align, which aligns equations only at their first relation symbol, a matrix gives you independent control over the alignment of every group of terms.

Adjust matrix column spacing

You can increase or reduce the horizontal space between matrix columns.

Place the cursor in a column and enter the required spacing value in the Contextual tab. The value must include a unit, such as pixels (px) or ems (em). For example, enter 10px for a fixed space or 0.5em for spacing relative to the current font size.

The selected value controls the space immediately to the right of the column containing the cursor.

Edit piecewise functions

When the cursor is inside a piecewise function, the Contextual tab displays commands for modifying its structure. These controls are similar to those available for matrices and, for example, let you add or remove rows without recreating the entire expression.

Fine-tune symbol positioning

The nudging controls let you make small horizontal or vertical adjustments to an individual symbol. This is useful when the default position of a symbol does not provide the required visual result within a complex expression.

Select the symbol and use the controls in the Contextual tab to move it left, right, up, or down. You can apply the adjustment more than once to position the symbol precisely.

Nudging changes only the visual position of the selected symbol. It does not modify the mathematical structure of the expression.

Change fences and interval notation

When the cursor is inside a fenced expression, the Contextual tab lets you change the opening and closing delimiters independently.

For intervals, you can use these controls to switch between open, closed, left-open, and right-open notation without changing the endpoints.

You can also combine different delimiters in other fenced expressions, for example:

• ( ]
• [ )
• | )

MathType replaces the selected delimiters while preserving the content and mathematical structure of the expression.

Control stretchy operators

Some operators and delimiters automatically stretch to match the height of the surrounding expression.

When a compatible symbol is selected, the Contextual tab lets you enable or disable this behaviour. Disabling it keeps the symbol at its standard size instead of adapting it to the height of the expression.

Edit elementary math layouts

Additional commands appear in the Contextual tab when the cursor is placed inside elementary mathematics structures such as:

• Long division.
• Polynomial division.
• Stacked arithmetic operations.

These commands let you modify the arrangement and properties of the selected layout without rebuilding the operation.

Related resources

• Contextual tab.
• Toolbar and keyboard shortcuts.
• Using MathType Web.