Writing basic math in LaTeX - inline math and math environment

Internet abounds with LaTex tutorials on how to write mathematics equations and simple symbols in LaTeX. It is sometimes not clear as to how the math environment works in general and how to differntiate between inline math equations and how to write them on a line of their own.

I earlier did a tutorial on how to write mathematical equations using Latex which covered the "equation" environment in LaTeX. Math environment is equally important and in this tutorial I am going to talk about how to use basic math environment in LaTeX.

Specifically, I am going to discuss how to do the following in LaTeX:

1. How to initiate Math environment
2. Writing inline math equations and writing equations in a separate line
3. How to use frac for equations
4. How to use paranthesis and brackets to enclose mathematical symbols and equations
5. How to type powers and indices
6. How to write matrices

Following video illustrates the step by step instructions to use math in LaTeX

 

The code used in this tutorial is here:
\documentclass{article}

\usepackage{amsmath}

\usepackage{amssymb}

\begin{document}

\title{Basic Mathematics with Latex by http://QuickLatex.blogspot.com}

\maketitle

This is inline \[n\] math symbol.

For inline $n$ or \(n\) is used and for displayed math we can use $$n$$ or \[n\].

We start with $n$ elements and we continue to divide them in half leaving $\frac{n}{2}$ elements.

The power can be written using caret symbol, for instance $n^n$ results in n to the power n written nicely.

The indices could be written using underscore, for instance $n_i$ makes i an index of n.

$(\frac{n}{2})$

$\left( \frac{n}{2} \right)$\\

$[\frac{n}{2}]$

$\left[ \frac{n}{2} \right]$\\

$

\left(

\begin{array} {c c c}

1 & 2 & 3\\

4 & 5 & 6\\

7 & 8 & 9

\end{array}

\right)

$

\end{document}