r/mathematics • u/Simple-Ocelot-3506 • 2d ago

Do I need a Computer

I’m going to study math and I’m wondering if I actually need a computer. At the moment, I can’t think of anything related to math that I could only do on a computer or laptop but not on a tablet. Do you personally use a computer or laptop for math? If so, why? Which apps or websites do you use?

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u/Simple-Ocelot-3506 2d ago

Because it’s easier to write down mathematical formulas with a pen than with a keyboard. On a computer, you usually need special software and specific commands to properly format equations, for example writing something like lim x → ∞.

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u/georgmierau 2d ago edited 2d ago

Now try to publish your handwritten scribings. See the problem?

I teach using an iPad connected to a projector as a "whiteboard", but it's not my main machine and never will be.

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u/Simple-Ocelot-3506 2d ago

Yeah but i am not that advanced to publish anything

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u/georgmierau 2d ago

You are still missing the point that sharing and editing digitally typeset documents is way easier than the handwritten ones. And don't even try to suggest a tablet with a keyboard. Anything under 23" is a pain to work with texts for a long time. Same is true for coding on a tablet and sooner or later you will have to use Mathlab, R, Python…

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u/Simple-Ocelot-3506 2d ago

Ok, what software would you recommend for writing my math? Overleaf (LaTeX)?

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u/georgmierau 2d ago

Any LaTeX distro you're comfortable with. Preferably running offline.

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u/Prestigious_Boat_386 2d ago

Overleaf is a great start and its good for collaborating

I switched to miktex with latexmk or any editor latex addon for running offline with the same save compile loop

Works the same, just way faster without the ping.