Canvas Math Hacks Guide
Below are 3 methods for typing math symbols on your computer. Click on the math concept you want to enter under each method for guidance (e.g. "Exponents" under Alt Codes takes you to page 6 and tells you how to use that method.)
"Simple" Methods
The Canvas Math Editor
Alt Codes
Operations
Operations
Operations
Inequalities
Inequalities
Inequalities
Exponents
Exponents
Exponents
Square Roots
Square Roots
Square Roots
If you're interested in more fun alt codes not in this guide, click this textbox to view a big ol' list!
Operators
Canvas math equation editor
Canvas has a math equation editor that has all kinds of buttons & symbols, including ways to type operators for multiplication, division, addition, & subtraction. Click each circled button to see how you can use it when completing work in Canvas!
Operators
Alt Codes (using number keypad)
If you are using a computer that has the number keypad on the right side, you can get a ton of math symbols by holding in the alt button & typing a sequence of numbers.
If you are going to use an operator/symbol to represent multiplication, it is preferred that you use the circle bullet as a dot multiplier over the × alt code. ->
Operators
The simple, "old-fashioned" way?
You can use the same button for negative numbers that you use to represent subtraction!
Most operators (excpet multiplication) have a place on your keyboard already. Click each circled button to see how you can use them!
Inequalities
Canvas math equation editor
Canvas has a math equation editor that has all kinds of buttons & symbols, including all of our inequalities. There are also some cool formatting things it will do for you, like writing divison we type as "12/3" as a fraction!
Inequalities
Alt Codes (using number keypad)
If you are using a computer that has the number keypad on the right side, you can get a ton of math symbols by holding in the alt button & typing a sequence of numbers.
Inequalities
The simple, "old-fashioned" way?
< > <= >=
The less than & greater than symbols are on your keyboard. Hold SHIFT + the comma or period to type < or >. If you need to make it less than or equal to or greater than or equal to, you can use your keyboard to type the symbol & then type the equals sign afterwards.
Exponents
Canvas math equation editor
Canvas has a math equation editor that has all kinds of buttons & symbols, including ways to type exponents. There are also some cool formatting things it will do for you - play around with them sometime!
Exponents
Alt Codes (using number keypad)
If you are using a computer that has the number keypad on the right side, you can get a ton of math symbols by holding in the alt button & typing a sequence of numbers.
Exponents
The simple, "old-fashioned" way?
ex.) 5^3
The carrot that we use for exponents is on your keyboard. Hold SHIFT + the 6 (up top, not on the number pad) to type ^ (carrot).
Square Roots
Canvas math equation editor
Canvas has a math equation editor that has all kinds of buttons & symbols, including ways to type square roots. There are also some cool formatting things it will do for you - play around with them sometime!
Square Roots
Alt Codes (using number keypad)
If you are using a computer that has the number keypad on the right side, you can get a ton of math symbols by holding in the alt button & typing a sequence of numbers.
Square Roots
The simple, "old-fashioned" way?
ex.) sqrt 7
You can type the phrase 'square root' or it's shorthand: sqrt BEFORE you type the number value. In fact, typing sqrt automaticall puts a square root symbol in when using the Desmos calculator!
This is a dot multiplier. If you really want to use a symbol to represent multiplication, this dot is preferred to the x shape so we don't get confused with variables. You can use this as you would use other operation symbols like + and -.
Remember that we can represent division as a fraction! This is our preferred way to demonstrate dividing in Algebra, so do your best to use this button over the division symbol!
You should click this button BEFORE you type any numbers or variables. It will place boxes above & below the fraction bar. You can enter the numerator or dividend in the top box & the denominator or divisor in the bottom box.
For addition, use the + button (right button in this circle) by holding your shift key & clicking it.
For equations, use the = button (right button in this circle) by just clicking it; no shift required!
For subtraction, use the - button (left button in this circle) by just clicking it; no shift required! *you can also use this button for negative numbers*
This is the multiplication symbol that you can use to write numeric multiplication, but please try not to use this with variables! Remember when multiplying variables, you can just write the letters next to the number.
Please don't ever use your keyboard 'x' for division.
To write two times an unknown number (n), you can write the number value as a coefficient, so 2n.
This is a normal division symbol that you can use to represent numeric division, but please try to not use this button, especially with variables. Instead, click the fraction button above and use that to represent division.
Since we represent division as fractions, you can use the backslash button to represent fractions. Type the numerator first, then press the / (do not shift), then type the denominator.
ex) 2/3 is two thirds -or- two divided by three.
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Transcript
Canvas Math Hacks Guide
Below are 3 methods for typing math symbols on your computer. Click on the math concept you want to enter under each method for guidance (e.g. "Exponents" under Alt Codes takes you to page 6 and tells you how to use that method.)
"Simple" Methods
The Canvas Math Editor
Alt Codes
Operations
Operations
Operations
Inequalities
Inequalities
Inequalities
Exponents
Exponents
Exponents
Square Roots
Square Roots
Square Roots
If you're interested in more fun alt codes not in this guide, click this textbox to view a big ol' list!
Operators
Canvas math equation editor
Canvas has a math equation editor that has all kinds of buttons & symbols, including ways to type operators for multiplication, division, addition, & subtraction. Click each circled button to see how you can use it when completing work in Canvas!
Operators
Alt Codes (using number keypad)
If you are using a computer that has the number keypad on the right side, you can get a ton of math symbols by holding in the alt button & typing a sequence of numbers.
If you are going to use an operator/symbol to represent multiplication, it is preferred that you use the circle bullet as a dot multiplier over the × alt code. ->
Operators
The simple, "old-fashioned" way?
You can use the same button for negative numbers that you use to represent subtraction!
Most operators (excpet multiplication) have a place on your keyboard already. Click each circled button to see how you can use them!
Inequalities
Canvas math equation editor
Canvas has a math equation editor that has all kinds of buttons & symbols, including all of our inequalities. There are also some cool formatting things it will do for you, like writing divison we type as "12/3" as a fraction!
Inequalities
Alt Codes (using number keypad)
If you are using a computer that has the number keypad on the right side, you can get a ton of math symbols by holding in the alt button & typing a sequence of numbers.
Inequalities
The simple, "old-fashioned" way?
< > <= >=
The less than & greater than symbols are on your keyboard. Hold SHIFT + the comma or period to type < or >. If you need to make it less than or equal to or greater than or equal to, you can use your keyboard to type the symbol & then type the equals sign afterwards.
Exponents
Canvas math equation editor
Canvas has a math equation editor that has all kinds of buttons & symbols, including ways to type exponents. There are also some cool formatting things it will do for you - play around with them sometime!
Exponents
Alt Codes (using number keypad)
If you are using a computer that has the number keypad on the right side, you can get a ton of math symbols by holding in the alt button & typing a sequence of numbers.
Exponents
The simple, "old-fashioned" way?
ex.) 5^3
The carrot that we use for exponents is on your keyboard. Hold SHIFT + the 6 (up top, not on the number pad) to type ^ (carrot).
Square Roots
Canvas math equation editor
Canvas has a math equation editor that has all kinds of buttons & symbols, including ways to type square roots. There are also some cool formatting things it will do for you - play around with them sometime!
Square Roots
Alt Codes (using number keypad)
If you are using a computer that has the number keypad on the right side, you can get a ton of math symbols by holding in the alt button & typing a sequence of numbers.
Square Roots
The simple, "old-fashioned" way?
ex.) sqrt 7
You can type the phrase 'square root' or it's shorthand: sqrt BEFORE you type the number value. In fact, typing sqrt automaticall puts a square root symbol in when using the Desmos calculator!
This is a dot multiplier. If you really want to use a symbol to represent multiplication, this dot is preferred to the x shape so we don't get confused with variables. You can use this as you would use other operation symbols like + and -.
Remember that we can represent division as a fraction! This is our preferred way to demonstrate dividing in Algebra, so do your best to use this button over the division symbol!
You should click this button BEFORE you type any numbers or variables. It will place boxes above & below the fraction bar. You can enter the numerator or dividend in the top box & the denominator or divisor in the bottom box.
For addition, use the + button (right button in this circle) by holding your shift key & clicking it.
For equations, use the = button (right button in this circle) by just clicking it; no shift required!
For subtraction, use the - button (left button in this circle) by just clicking it; no shift required! *you can also use this button for negative numbers*
This is the multiplication symbol that you can use to write numeric multiplication, but please try not to use this with variables! Remember when multiplying variables, you can just write the letters next to the number.
Please don't ever use your keyboard 'x' for division.
To write two times an unknown number (n), you can write the number value as a coefficient, so 2n.
This is a normal division symbol that you can use to represent numeric division, but please try to not use this button, especially with variables. Instead, click the fraction button above and use that to represent division.
Since we represent division as fractions, you can use the backslash button to represent fractions. Type the numerator first, then press the / (do not shift), then type the denominator.
ex) 2/3 is two thirds -or- two divided by three.