Use a palette to answer expression questions

You can use either a physical keyboard or your device's virtual keyboard to enter your response. The table in the second expandable section below lists keyboard entry for correct formatting, and you can find more information here: Use a keyboard to enter your response.

(If the option isn't visible on your mobile device, just tap the question text again to redisplay the links.)

• Enter * for the multiplication operator. Do NOT use the letter x. Enter multiplication explicitly; that is, enter 2*a*b, not 2ab. Use scientific notation, not e. For example, enter 1.23*10^5 instead of 1.23e+5.
  
• No spaces. The answer box does not allow you to enter spaces.
  

Format or notation	Templates menu	Keyboard	Examples/Notes Instead of pressing or below, you can also reposition your cursor
Exponent (Superscript)		^ (caret)	To enter , either: Enter x, choose , and enter 3 Enter x^3
Subscript		_ (underbar)	To enter , either: Enter T, choose , and enter i Enter T_i
Fraction		/	To enter , either: Choose , enter 2, move cursor, and enter 3 Enter 2/3 or /23 To move between the top and bottom parts of a fraction: Reposition your cursor using an input device, or use the arrow keys on your computer keyboard.
Square root		\sqrt	To enter , either: Choose and enter x+y Enter \sqrtx+y
Nth root		\nrt	To enter , either: Choose , enter a, press , and then enter 3 Enter \nrt3a
Absolute value		|   This shortcut inserts both absolute value signs.	To enter , either: Choose and type y Enter |y
Scientific notation		* (asterisk for multiplication dot) ^ (carat for exponent)	To enter 5.2*103, either: Choose  , enter 5.2, move cursor, and enter 3 in the exponent Enter 5.2*10^3 To edit the provided "10": Select 10, and then delete or add digits using your keyboard. You can also delete 10 by positioning the cursor and choosing delete.

Symbol name	Symbols menu	Keyboard alternative
alpha		\alpha
beta		\beta
gamma		\gamma
delta, Delta	, (bottom row)	\delta, \Delta
epsilon		\epsilon
eta		\eta
theta		\theta
kappa		\kappa
lambda		\lambda
mu		\mu
nu		\nu
pi		\pi
rho		\rho
sigma, Sigma	, (bottom row)	\sigma, \Sigma
tau		\tau
phi		\phi
chi		\chi
psi, Psi	, (bottom row)	\psi, \Psi
omega, Omega	, (bottom row)	\omega, \Omega
hbar		\hbar
EMF		\EMF

The way to move the cursor in an answer depends on whether you are working with a physical keyboard.

• Computer users: Use your keyboard arrow keys (, , , ) to move the cursor in your answer. Note that the left and right arrow keys can move the cursor vertically within an expression. You can also use a mouse or other input device to reposition your cursor in an answer, but using the arrow keys may be easier.
• Smartphone and tablet users without a physical keyboard: Use your finger or other input device to position the cursor in your answer. For finer cursor control on a phone, enlarge your view of the answer box before moving the cursor. If moving the cursor on your phone is a challenge: Consider completing the question on your computer or tablet.

When you finish entering a value in a special format (for example, the numerator of a fraction), you need to move the cursor outside of the format area. The way you do this depends on whether you are working with a physical keyboard.

• Computer users: Use your keyboard arrow keys (, , , ) to move outside of a special format area in your answer. You can also use a mouse or other input device to reposition your cursor within or outside of a special format, but using the arrow keys may be easier.
• Smartphone and tablet users without a physical keyboard: Use your finger or other input device to position your cursor outside of any special format area. For finer cursor control on a phone, enlarge your view of the answer box before moving the cursor. If moving the cursor on your phone is a challenge: Consider completing the question on a computer or tablet.

Undo	Choose undo to undo your previous actions in reverse order—one action per click (or tap/touch, on a mobile device). Alternatively, press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command-Z (Mac OS) from your computer keyboard.
Redo	Choose redo to redo the previous action. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Y (Windows) or Command-Y (Mac OS) from your computer keyboard.
Reset	Choose reset to clear the answer box. If you want to start over: This is the easiest way!
Delete	delete: Deletes entries from right to left, like a Backspace key. You can also use the keys on your computer keyboard. For a specially formatted expression (such as a fraction): Tap this button once to select the item, and then tap again to delete it.
Close the keyboard	Choose Close keyboard to hide the palette keyboard (computer) or the entire palette (smartphone or tablet). You can open the keyboard or palette again by clicking a palette menu (computer), or by tapping the answer box (smartphone or tablet).