tex, Newbie question: is it possible in LaTeX...

1. evaluation of math expressions in latex (newbie question)

Hello,

I was a LaTex user in the early 90's when I was in grad school, but
since then I've been stuck in a MS Word world like most everyone
else.   Recently, however, I've stumbled on a PC version of LaTex
(MiKTex 2.7) and I'd like to be able to use it productively for my
job.

I'm currently a high school physics teacher and this is the kind of
thing I'd like to be able to do, if possible:   I need to re-create
the same physics problem with multiple sets of numerical data.   For
example, I'd like to be able to set variables for, say mass and
acceleration, and possibly have them evaluated automatically and the
results inserted into the text.

In other words, to be able to go from:

m = (2)
a = (2)

A mass of (m) kg is accelerating at (a) m/s^2.   What net force is
acting upon the mass?

F= ma = (2 kg)(2 m/s^2) = 4N

to something that appears like this:

A mass of 2 kg is accelerating at 2 m/s^2.   What net force is acting
upon the mass?

F= ma = (2 kg)(2 m/s^2) = 4N  % Appears only in instructor edition %


Is it possible to do something like this?

Thank you very much

John

2. newbie latex question

3. HTML-style table package for LaTeX (newbie question)?

Does anyone know of a LaTeX package for specifying tables that allows
you to use markup similar to that used in HTML? I ask this because I
am attempting to put arbitrary contents into a table cell. Is this
possible in LaTeX?

I have tried using the multirow package, but it doesn't seem well-
suited for my purpose. Specifically, I am trying to put an itemized
list into a table cell.

Thanks in advance,
Desmond

4. LaTex newbie question - Removing chapter headings while keeping in toc

5. LaTex newbie question - Removing chapter headings while keeping in toc

On Sun, 07 Dec 2003 16:59:42 +0000, JosCarlos Santos wrote:

>> Toby Cadoux wrote:
>> 
>>> Hi
>>> 
>>> I was wondering if anyone could help me with a problem involving
>>> chapter numbering in a report.  I need to be able to remove the
>>> numbering from \chapter headings in the body of the report while still
>>> having the (unnumbered) chapter headings put in the toc.  I suppose I
>>> need something like \chapter* which keeps the item in the contents.
>> 
>> Start the new chapter with \chapter*{Another chapter} and type, on the
>> next line
>> 
>> \addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{Another chapter}
>> 
>> Best regards,
>> 
>> Jose Carlos Santos

Ah

That makes a whole lot of sense - now I just need to ensure what I write
is semi-decent:)

Many, many thanks

6. Newbie Question on LaTeX 3 Programming

7. Am I the first child using an if question

Hi,
I have an xml file with the following structure:
<Dictionary>
...
<Nested>
<Entry>
...
</Entry>
<Entry>
...
</Entry>
</Nested>
<Entry>
</Entry>
</Dictionary>

I want to iterate over all entries and print them however there is a
special printing for entries that reside in <Nested> tags and are not
the first one.

I'm using the following code:
<xsl:for-each select="//Entry">
          <p>
            <!--Check if entry is part of a nested entry.-->
            <xsl:if test="name(..)='Nested' and position() > 1">
              <xsl:text>Print:123456</xsl:text>
            </xsl:if>

The name(..)='Nested' part is working however the position part does
not, I tried to find some info on the subject with no luck.

Do you have an idea ?

Thank,
Efi

8. Possible solution of possible bug in supp-pdf.tex