Use a palette to answer expression questions

Updated 11 Sep 2025

You'll often be able to answer questions with a palette. The features of the palette depend on the device you are using:

  • Computer: The palette toolbar contains menus for Templates (math formats) and Symbols (Greek letters, hbar, EMF). You can use the palette in combination with the computer's physical keyboard.

    Palette on a computer

  • Mobile: On a smartphone or tablet, the palette contains additional menus for Letters and Numbers, which provide a virtual keyboard. Tap the answer box to open the palette.

    Palette on a smartphone or tablet

    Tip: If opening the palette hides the links at the bottom of your display, swipe upwards to show the links again. The "I don't understand" option is always available.

Use a physical or virtual keyboard to enter your response.

(If the "I don't understand" option isn't visible on your mobile device, tap the question text again.)

Enter symbolic math answers

  • 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

template menu icon

Keyboard

Examples/Notes

Instead of pressing or below, you can also reposition your cursor

Exponent

(Superscript)

 exponent (superscript) template format ^
(caret)

To enter x to the power of 3, either:

  • Enter x, choose exponent (superscript) template format, and enter 3
  • Enter x^3
Subscript subscript template format _
(underbar)

To enter Ti, either:

  • Enter T, choose subscript template format, and enter i
  • Enter T_i
Fraction fraction template format /

To enter 2 divided by 3, either:

  • Choose fraction template format, enter 2, move cursor, and enter 3
  • Enter 2/3

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

 square root template format \sqrt

To enter square root of x + y, either:

  • Choose square root template format and enter x+y
  • Enter \sqrtx+y
Nth root nth root template format \nrt To enter 3rd root of a, either:
  • Choose nth root template format, enter a, press left arrow keyleft arrow key, and then enter 3
  • Enter \nrt3chem_ee_r_arrow_smalla
Absolute value absolute value template format |

 

This shortcut inserts both absolute value signs.

 To enter math_ee_abs_sample, either:
  • Choose absolute value template format 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 symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \alpha

beta

 beta symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \beta

gamma

 gamma symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \gamma
delta, Delta delta symbol (lowercase Greek letter), Delta symbol (uppercase Greek letter) (bottom row) \delta, \Delta
epsilon epsilon symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \epsilon
eta eta symbol (Greek lowercase letter) \eta
theta theta symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \theta
kappa kappa symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \kappa
lambda lambda symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \lambda
mu mu symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \mu
nu nu (lowercase Greek letter) \nu
pi pi symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \pi
rho rho symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \rho
sigma, Sigma sigma symbol (lowercase Greek letter), Sigma symbol (uppercase Greek letter) (bottom row) \sigma, \Sigma
tau tau symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \tau
phi phi symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \phi
chi chi symbol (lowercase Greek letter) \chi
psi, Psi psi symbol (lowercase Greek letter), Psi symbol (uppercase Greek character) (bottom row) \psi, \Psi
omega, Omega omega symbol (lowercase Greek letter), Omega symbol (uppercase Greek letter) (bottom row) \omega, \Omega
hbar hbar symbol \hbar
EMF EMF symbol \EMF
  • On a physical keyboard, use the arrow keys. The left and right arrow keys can move the cursor vertically within an expression. You can also use a mouse, but using the arrow keys may be easier.
  • On a smartphone and tablet, use your finger or other input device. For finer cursor control, enlarge the answer box.

After you finish entering a value in a special format, move the cursor outside the format area.

  • On a physical keyboard, use the arrow keys or the mouse to move outside the special format area.
  • On a smartphone and tablet, use your finger or other input device. For finer cursor control, enlarge the answer box.

Undo

  • undo
  • Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command-Z (Mac)
Redo
  • redo
  • Ctrl+Y (Windows) or Command-Y (Mac)
Reset
  • reset to start over
Delete
  • delete:
    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 tapping the answer box (smartphone or tablet).