LaTeX for Beginners

Super Quickstart

• Download and install MikTeX from www.miktex.org.
• Download and install TeXnic Center from www.texniccenter.org.
• The first time TeXnic Center starts, it will ask where it can find LaTeX. Tell it

  C:\Program Files\MikTeX 2.7\miktex\bin

  where you might need to change 2.7 to the version of MikTeX you installed. Better yet, just browse to the corresponding folder!

• Here is perhaps the simplest LaTeX source that will build:

  \documentclass{article}

\begin{document}

Text goes here!

\end{document}

• Download The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX and expand on this example by doing the exercises!
  • To build it and view it in TeXnic Center, select LaTeX => PDF on the tool bar, and go to Build | Current File | Build and View
  • There is also a button for this on the tool bar!
• If you want to get serious, type up all your homework solutions in LaTeX.
• If you want to get really serious, give up MS Word—do everything in LaTeX.

Useful Links

• MikTeX, a LaTeX distribution for Windows.
• TeXnicCenter, a LaTeX editor for Windows.
• MacTeX, a LaTeX distribution for Mac OS X, including an editor.
• TeXworks, a WYSIWYG frontend for LaTeX, still under development.

• The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX, a great introduction to LaTeX.
• The LaTeX Wikibook, a wonderful reference.
• The Art of Problem Solving's LaTeX Wiki is a great mixture of reference and tutorial. I especially like:
• AoPS LaTeX Symbol Guide, a quick reference for tons of mathematical symbols.
• AoPS LaTeX Picture Guide, a short tutorial on including images in LaTeX.

• Beamer, a LaTeX class for creating beautiful PowerPoint-like presentations.
• exam, a LaTeX class for creating exams and quizzes.
• A guide, complete with template files, for creating conference posters in LaTeX.
• PSTricks, a LaTeX package for creating figures directly in your document. It's included with most LaTeX distributions, so you probably just need the user's guide to get started.
• Xy-pic, a package for making fancy commutative diagrams and much more. It's included with most LaTeX distributions, so you probably just need the user's guide to get started.