LaTeX for Beginners

Super Quickstart

• Download and install MikTeX from www.miktex.org.
• Download and install TeXnic Center from www.texniccenter.org.
• The first time TeXnic Center starts, it will ask where it can find LaTeX. Tell it

  C:\Program Files\MikTeX 2.8\miktex\bin

  where you might need to change 2.8 to the version of MikTeX you installed. Better yet, just browse to the corresponding folder!

• A bit about how LaTeX works:
  LaTeX is not like a word processor. You create LaTeX documents by first creating a text file, called the LaTeX source, that contains your document text mixed in with commands that instruct LaTeX how you will want the text to appear. To produce the final document, you must have LaTeX build it based on the source. If the source is free of errors, LaTeX uses it to create a second file, usually a PDF, which is your final, fully-formatted document.
  
  
• Here is perhaps the simplest LaTeX source that will build:

  \documentclass{article}

\begin{document}

Text goes here!

\end{document}

• Here is some simple LaTeX source with a little math:

  \documentclass{article}

\begin{document}

This is an inline equation: $E = mc^2$. Next up is a displayed equation:
\[ \int_{S^1} \frac{dz}{z} = 2 \pi i. \]

\end{document}

• Download The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX and expand on these examples by doing the exercises!
  • To build it and view it in TeXnic Center, select LaTeX => PDF on the tool bar, and go to Build | Current File | Build and View
  • There is also a button for this on the tool bar!
• If you want to get serious, type up all your homework solutions in LaTeX.
• If you want to get really serious, give up MS Word—do everything in LaTeX.

Useful Links

• MikTeX, a LaTeX distribution for Windows.
• TeXnicCenter, a LaTeX editor for Windows.
• MacTeX, a LaTeX distribution for Mac OS X, including an editor.
• TeXworks, a WYSIWYG frontend for LaTeX, still under development.

• The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX, a great introduction to LaTeX.
• LaTeX/Absolute Beginners tutorial from Wikibooks. Not as good as the above introduction, but super short.
• The LaTeX Wikibook, a wonderful reference.
• The Art of Problem Solving's LaTeX Wiki is a great mixture of reference and tutorial. I especially like:
• AoPS LaTeX Symbol Guide, a quick reference for tons of mathematical symbols.
• AoPS LaTeX Picture Guide, a short tutorial on including images in LaTeX.

• Beamer, a LaTeX class for creating beautiful PowerPoint-like presentations.
• exam, a LaTeX class for creating exams and quizzes.
• A guide, complete with template files, for creating conference posters in LaTeX.
• PSTricks, a LaTeX package for creating figures directly in your document. It's included with most LaTeX distributions, so you probably just need the user's guide to get started.
• Xy-pic, a package for making fancy commutative diagrams and much more. It's included with most LaTeX distributions, so you probably just need the user's guide to get started. Better yet, read Aaron Lauda's great tutorial.