The updated Notes app in macOS Sequoia boasts a Math Notes feature that lets you crunch numbers, evaluate expressions, and assign variables within the app. It also solves expressions inline as soon as you type an equals sign.
A few things you should note:
One: you’ll need to be using the latest version of iCloud notes or notes stored on your Mac to use Math Notes.
Two: the feature work with math written using Western Arabic numerals and common mathematical symbols, or typed using Arabic (Eastern & Western) and Devanagari numerals and common mathematical symbols.
Three: when solving math expressions, Notes uses the standard order of operations. For example, exponents are completed before multiplication and division, and multiplication and division are completed before addition and subtraction. Add parentheses around expressions that you want calculated first.
How to solve expressions with Math Notes
To solve mathematical expressions with parentheses, and basic and scientific operations:
° Launch Notes.
° Open a note, or click the add note icon to create a new note.
° Type a math problem, followed immediately by the equals sign. For example, “(27/3)^2=” or “47×96” then press the equal (=) on your keyboard.
° Press Return to insert the answer inline.
How to define a variable
Variables are available in the Math Notes album if created using the Latin alphabet.
° Launch the Notes app.
° Open a note, or click \the add note icon to create a new note.
° To define a variable, type a letter or a word, followed immediately by the equals sign and the variable’s value.
For example, “x=3.” For Notes to recognize the variable, the variable must come before (to the left of or above) an expression that uses that variable.
° The word or letter changes color when Notes recognizes it as a variable.
To solve expressions with variables, type your expression including the variable, followed immediately by the equals sign.
The answer to your expression appears inline after the equals sign. Press Return to insert the answer.
When you change the value of a variable that precedes the expression, the expression’s answer updates automatically.
Apple notes that you can quickly change the value of a variable by double-clicking the number, then using the arrows to increase or decrease the variable’s value.
How to choose how Math Results appear
By default, Math Results appear as suggestions, but you can choose to have Notes immediately insert results or even turn them off. Here’s how:
° Open Notes.
° Choose Format > Math Results.
° Choose one of the following:
- Insert Results: Immediately inserts results after an equals sign.
- Suggest Results: Suggests results after an equals sign, which can be inserted by pressing Return.
- Off: Turns off Math Results so that they do not appear.
