Equations, Maths and Scientific Symbols

1. Digital answer papers (PDF only)

The maths, science and engineering PDFs are fairly limited when it comes to typing in equations and scientific symbols, but there are some ways in which it can be done. 

There are 2 options available to type STEM symbols to these papers.

Option 1: Text style formatting

You can use this facility to format simple algebraic equations.

• Select the text or character,
• select 'Text Style',
• then right-click and choose:
  • bold
  • italic
  • underline
  • superscript
  • subscript

To remove the formatting, repeat the above and untick your selection.

Option 2: Windows character map

Another option is to copy and paste symbols into the answer boxes from the Windows Character Map. This is slow and so you are probably better off handwriting your equations if you can.

• Windows 7
  • Click on the 'Start' icon (bottom left of screen).
  • Select 'All Programs' and then 'Accessories'.
  • Then 'System Tools' and click on 'Character Map'.
  • Find the symbol you want and click on it.
  • Next, click on 'Select' and then 'Copy'.
  • Go to the digital paper and paste (press 'Ctrl+V') it into the answer box.
• Windows 10
  • Click on the 'Windows' icon (bottom left of screen).
  • Select 'All Apps' and then 'Windows Accessories'.
  • Then click on 'Character Map'.
  • Find the symbol you want and click on it.
  • Next, click on 'Select' and then 'Copy'.
  • Go to the digital paper and paste (press 'Ctrl+V') it into the answer box.