Numbering Questions: (2) or (1)?

users
#1

On page 23 of LibreOffice 3.5.5 Math Guide, it is written:

*Numbering equations*

Equation numbering is one of Writer’s best hidden features. The steps are
simple, but obscure:

   1.

   Start a new line.
   2.

   Type *fn* and then press *F3*.

The *fn* is replaced by a numbered formula:

E= mc2 (2)

#2

On page 23 of LibreOffice 3.5.5 Math Guide, it is written:
*Numbering equations*
[...]
The *fn* is replaced by a numbered formula:
E= mc2 (2)

But I got:
E = mc2 (1)

Should I have got (2), as in the Math Guide?

That depends on what is currently in your document. If this is your first equation, you will see "(1)"; if it is your second (as apparently in the guide's example), you will see "(2)" and so on. That is the nature of numbering!

Because the number is a field, it will change if you subsequently insert other equations before it in your document. So any references to it should be cross-references, not hard text.

Is it all right for me to get (1)?

Yes.

Is the Math Guide a little wrong here?

Not necessarily.

I trust this helps.

Brian Barker

#3

Hi :slight_smile:
The Maths Guide is getting a major re-vamp fairly soon.  The Docs Team suddenly found the German translation had added tons of extra stuff and even has enough to break it out into separate chapters.  If you can read German look for their version.

My guess is that your case worked out all right and in the guide they might have had a previous example at some point in the last 10 years or so that maybe didn't make it into the version of the guide you are reading.  Also when creating the guides sometimes weird things do happen and there are never enough people in the team to get everything perfect.

MS Guides only need to be produced to cover 1 release every 3 or 4 years and they employ tons of people to work on those guides.  Their guides cost quite a lot too so that they can pay people and make a hefty profit.  LibreOffice has a major new branch twice per year and relies on people volunteering and in the few places where they sell it the prices are extremely low.  Even so most people just download the free versions from the official website or the wiki.  So, "it's a completely different bottle of crisps".

The Draw and Impress Guides recently got taken on by someone that really cares about them so quality has jumped up in the last couple of releases but Math is still a bit iffy, at least until the translations from German get done.  Personally i am hoping the Docs Team are focusing on the Base Guide this time and maybe worry about Math afterwards but people join the team to work on issues that concern them and so that's what gets the most attention.  It works well because it means the people working on any particular guide have a vested interested and are keen to get good quality results.

Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#4

Yes, my case worked out all right, and thank you all for your help.

Thank you for the information on how LibreOffice Guides were produced.

Sincerely,

Taang Zomi

#5

I played around with this on my Debian box using LibO v.3.6.4.3.

I typed in e=mc2
new line and entered *fn* and then F3

It gave me E=mc2 (1)

So I did a second equation (made up for the purpose)

p =(q + 1)2
New line and *fn* and then F3

But got E=mc2 (2)

again ...

What gives?

AG

#6

I'm not sure what the problem is. This is what is supposed to happen. The autotext always gives the e=mc2 dummy equation. It pays no attention to anything but the 'fn'.

#7

Hi :slight_smile:

Errr, so it's numbering in reverse order on the page or in reverse order chronologically?  Either way it's wrong somewhere.  This might help you post a bug-report about it unless there is some obvious reason why it's acting weird.

https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/BugReport

Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#8

I typed in e=mc2
new line and entered *fn* and then F3

It gave me E=mc2 (1)

Good: that's what it is supposed to do.

So I did a second equation (made up for the purpose)

p =(q + 1)2
New line and *fn* and then F3

But got E=mc2 (2)
again ...

Good: right again.

What gives?

Only that you misunderstand how to use this. You cannot type the equation into the text (Writer) document directly, as it needs to be defined as a Math equation.
o Enter "FN" and press F3. You get the dummy numbered equation (E=mc^2).
o Now double-click the dummy equation. The Math window opens at the foot of the window and you can edit the equation's definition - removing it entirely and replacing it with your own.

I trust this helps.

Brian Barker

#9

Doh!! Yes - sorry all - figured it out: the E=mc2 is a place-holder :slight_smile:

Oh dear ... some mothers' do have 'em.

Apologies & thanks

AG

#10

Hi :slight_smile:
Phew!  It's all good then :slight_smile:
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile:

#11

Yes Tom - it's all good. Just me being a dummy :slight_smile:

Cheers
AG