LaTeX
From charlesreid1
LaTeX Overview
LaTeX is a document typesetting system used primarily for scientific and mathematical documents. Latex consists of Tex source code, which is typeset and output into one of a number of different formats (PDF, DV, PS, etc.)
http://www.texample.net/tikz/examples/rooty-helix/
\documentclass[english]{article}
\begin{document}
This is a basic latex document.
\end{document}
\documentclass[english]{article}
\begin{document}
You can use this to write a document.
You can also use this to explain stuff.
Maybe I want to include a formula: $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$
A more complicated formula: $\frac{1}{2} bh = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \sin (\theta x + z^2) d\theta$
Less squished: $\displaystyle{ \frac{1}{2} bh = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \sin (\theta x + z^2) d\theta }$
Integral: $\int{x^2 dx}$
Derivative: $\frac{dx}{dt} = 0$
\end{document}
\documentclass[english]{article}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
\title{This is where my title would go}
\author{Jiyoung Ahn, Charles Reid}
\maketitle
\section{Section Name}
You can use this to write a document.
You can also use this to explain stuff.
LaTeX is usually pronounced in English.
The name is traditionally printed with a special typographical logo.
\subsection{Subsection Name}
Maybe I want to include a formula: $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$
A more complicated formula: $\frac{1}{2} bh = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \sin (\theta x + z^2) d\theta$
\subsubsection{Subsubsection Name}
Less squished: $\displaystyle{ \frac{1}{2} bh = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \sin (\theta x + z^2) d\theta }$
Integral: $\int{x^2 dx}$
Derivative: $\frac{dx}{dt} = 0$
\section{Equations}
\subsection{Inline Equations}
An inline equation looks like: $\int{x^2 dx}$
Display equations, numbered equations:
\begin{equation}
\label{area formula}
\frac{1}{2} bh = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} \sin (\theta x + z^2) d\theta
\end{equation}
\section*{Unnumbered section}
This section won't have a number
\section{New one}
asdofiuaopifuapoeiruewo;irueqwo;riuqpweoiruqw
\section{Numbered section}\label{numbered section}
This section WILL have a number. I will now refer to equation \eqref{area formula} in section \ref{numbered section}.
\end{document}
Examples
I have several examples of (simple) LaTeX documents and reports at the documents page.
Software
There are a large number of programs and pieces of software for interfacing with LaTeX. The simplest is to use LaTeX through a text editor, such as Vim or Emacs, or a LaTeX text editor such as TexMaker or TexShop. Alternatively, one may use a full WYSIWYM (What You See Is What You Mean) editor like LyX.
Personally, I recommend TexMaker for creating LaTeX documents by hand, and LyX for putting together LaTeX documents with lots of equations, or in a short time.