Writing and Editing Math

Math in Corca is not plain text. Every symbol, number, and operator becomes part of a structured expression. That structure allows the editor to keep expressions consistent while you type, edit, copy, delete, or rearrange content. You can work with math the same way you work with text, but with additional safeguards and behaviors that preserve correctness.

Corca supports natural mathematical typing. You enter expressions the way you would write them on paper or a whiteboard. For example, typing x^2+3x+2 produces x^2+3*x+2.

Corca converts your input into structured mathematics while you type. You can continue writing without interruption, and the expression remains editable at all times.

How natural typing in Corca works

You type what you need using standard mathematical notation. Corca recognizes patterns and builds the correct mathematical structure automatically. Suggestions appear while you type. You can accept a suggestion by pressing Enter or clicking the option.

You can also ignore suggestions and continue typing, then you'll get a plain text. Natural typing works consistently across simple and complex expressions.

Common typing patterns

The following examples illustrate typical input behavior.

You type	Result
`x^`2	x^2
1`/`2	1/2
`sqrt(x)`	√(,x)
`sinx`	sin(x)
`x_`1	(x_1)
`a^n`	a^n

These patterns apply consistently across expressions, including nested structures.

Nested expressions

Natural typing also works when expressions contain other expressions.

For example, typing sqrt(x^2+1)produces √(,x^2+1).

Typing 1/(x+1) produces 1/(x+1).

You can keep building the expression step by step without switching modes.

Variables and symbols

You can create variables simply by typing their name and choosing the best option from suggestions.

Later, you can adjust details in the right panel, such as:

symbol
type
name
arguments
indexes and labels
color

This allows expressions to remain both readable and structured.

Linking text to a variable

You can tie a phrase in your prose to a variable defined in the document, so the two stay visually connected.

Select the phrase, right-click, and choose Link to variable, then pick the variable from the submenu. The phrase takes on the variable's color.

Hovering the linked phrase highlights the matching variable in the math — a colored ring, and the chip lifts. Placing the cursor inside the phrase makes the variable glow until you move the cursor out.
Hovering the variable in the math underlines the linked phrase, in both light and dark mode.
Changing the variable's color in the right sidebar recolors the linked phrase right away.
Deleting the variable's math block leaves the phrase with a dotted grey underline, marking the link as dangling.
Copying a linked phrase and pasting it elsewhere in the document keeps the link.

To remove a link, select the phrase, right-click, and choose Remove variable link.

Editing after typing

Natural typing does not lock the expression. You can always:

move the cursor inside the expression
change numbers or variables
add new terms
delete parts of the structure

Corca updates the math automatically.

Entering math with LaTeX

If you know LaTeX, you can type it directly. Wrap inline math in between two $ symbols and block math in between two $$ symbols. Corca shows a blue underline while you type and a red underline if the LaTeX is invalid. When you move the cursor out, valid LaTeX converts into an editable expression.

Typing $123 is recognized as currency rather than math.

Superscripts and exponents

Type ^ to add an exponent.
Paste or type a Unicode superscript (x^{2}, x^{3}, …) or subscript (x_{2}) and it converts to proper notation automatically.
On AZERTY and similar keyboards, the ^ accent key works the same as ^.

Function shortcuts

Type a function followed by a number, like sin2, to get both sin(2) and the power form sin^{2}().
Type a minus right after a function name, like sin-x, to get sin(-x). Compound arguments work too: sin-2x → sin(-2x).

Working with units

Type a number followed by a unit (for example 10kg) and accept the suggestion. Your cursor stays inside the unit brackets so you can keep typing. Inside unit brackets, only unit suggestions appear.

Units propagate through calculations, and the unit shows in the object panel on the right.

Supported unit behavior:

Percent, per mille, basis point (%, ‰, ‱) are treated as scalar ratios. For example 100 × 5% = 5, and 10% + 19% = 29%.
Engineering imperial units are supported, including lbf, kip, klf, plf, ksi, psf, ksf, and pcf.

Aligning math

Toggle math alignment for a paragraph to line up multiple expressions by their relation symbol (=, ≤, ≥, …) — useful for multi-step derivations and equation systems.

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