How can I write these math symbols in Word?

seeker · #1 by **seeker** » Mar 27, 2011 5:14 pm

I hope this is the right place to post this question. I want to write in Word the hollow symbols of sets of numbers:
Natural numbers (hollow N) · Integers (hollow Z) · Rational numbers (hollow Q) · Real numbers (hollow R) · Complex numbers (hollow C)
How can I write them?

CJ · #2 by CJ » Mar 27, 2011 5:24 pm

Which version of Word are you using?

HughMcB · #3 by **HughMcB** » Mar 27, 2011 5:28 pm

Use the microsoft word equation editor... it got me through several engineering dissertations at university.

Here is how to activate/set it up on your word;
http://kb.iu.edu/data/ahiz.html

The_Metatron · #4 by **The_Metatron** » Mar 27, 2011 5:38 pm

I did all my homework by hand, then scanned them into PDF files for my homework. The equation editors work, but they are tedious.

twistor59 · #5 by **twistor59** » Mar 27, 2011 5:48 pm

The unicode representations are

8450: ℂ 8477: ℝ 8474: ℚ

I haven't got Word on my PC here at home, but in the equation editor, there is probably a way to select Unicode and enter those characters. Maybe !

Edit: missed off 8484: ℤ

For wordpad, this works if you use the hex values:

2102: ℂ
211D: ℝ
211A: ℚ
2124: ℤ

Type the hex number as above, then do alt-X

VazScep · #6 by **VazScep** » Mar 27, 2011 7:04 pm

Alternatively, just use boldface.

Historically, symbols for number sets were typeset in boldface. This is difficult to reproduce on a blackboard, so lecturers began adding extra vertical lines to distinguish the characters. This then led to a whole new typeface called blackboard bold, which has worked its way into textbooks to replace the original boldface.

seeker · #7 by **seeker** » Mar 27, 2011 7:58 pm

Thanks!
Using your examples, I´ve googled this list of Unicodes:
http://www.mcs.sdsmt.edu/~ecorwin/math_chars.html

Calilasseia · #8 by **Calilasseia** » Mar 27, 2011 11:15 pm

Word has had a symbol insertion feature right from the days of Word 97. Word 2003 onwards supports full UniCode character insertion. From the menu, you choose "Insert -> Symbol", and then search for the symbols in the vast list provided. However, to my surprise, whilst testing this feature, the characters you want appear to be absent from that vast list!

Just by way of experiment, I tried testing Twistor's suggestion. Namely, type the hexadecimal Unicode character value of the character you want, then hit ALT-X. Hey presto, it works! This feature will give you ANY of the Unicode characters if you can't get them from the symbol insertion feature above.

Note, I'm using Word 2003. Your version of Word may vary.

hackenslash · #9 by **hackenslash** » Mar 27, 2011 11:30 pm

Or download a font. This will work with any word processor, including word.

Lazar · **#10** by **Lazar** » Apr 13, 2011 7:26 pm

LaTeX and then you can write your equations and rid yourself of WYSIWYG word processors forever.

DaveD · **#11** by **DaveD** » Apr 13, 2011 7:38 pm

I don't have access to a Windows computer at the moment, but have you tried the Character Map? ℕ, ℤ, ℚ, ℝ and ℂ are in the Ubuntu one.