how do i type a square root symbol on the mac keyboard

Go to System Preferences, click the Language & Text icon and then choose the Input Sources tab. Check the "Show Input menu in menu bar" item, and the "Keyboard & Character Viewer" item. Then, from the new item in your menu bar (right side), choose Show Character Viewer. There's a Math category where you should find the symbols you want, and you can insert them from that window.

jayfromnew york wrote:

How do I type mathematical symbols such as Limit, Integral, Square Root, and Summation on the MacBook Pro?

If you are doing a lot of complex math work, you should probably consider an equation editor:

http://m10lmac.blogspot.com/2008/12/typing-equations-and-formulas.html

Jay -

For a truly quick and dirty solution, just use option-v. That gives a √ symbol but without the overline. I'd suggest parentheses for anything beyond a single number in the radicand, as in √(x^2 + 9) =/= x + 3. Like the fancy math lingo? Hope this helps, a year after your question!

- dansmath

I tried doing it but I can't find the math section

It has changed a bit since that advice was written.

System Preferences > Keyboard ...

... check the bottom checkbox:

then from the Icon of the Flag on the MenuBar, choose "Character Viewer"

.

Commander Deviss wrote:

I tried doing it but I can't find the math section

Edit > Emoji and Symbols

Then click on the gear wheel and select Customize. Then check the box for Math Symbols.

thanks for the trick!

Option+v