# About Entering Math Characters

When you type a character string in a MathML element, Amaya parses the string and automatically generates the elements mo (operator), mn (number), mi (identifier), and mtext.

For example, to enter the formula `x=2a+b`:

1. If you are not in a mathematical expression, choose Math > New formula (math) from the Types menu.

2. Type this sequence of 6 characters: x=2a+b

Use the Structure view to display the following structure generated by Amaya:

`<mi>x</mi><mo>=</mo><mn>2</mn><mi>a</mi><mo>+</mo><mi>b</mi>`

If the result is not exactly what you want, select the characters that were misinterpreted and change their type with one of the commands such as Plain text (`mtext`), Identifier (`mi`), or Number (`mnmo`) from the Math submenu of the Types menu.

When entering brackets as in the following expression:

f ( x ) = 1 x

typing the sequence `f(x)=` would lead to:

f ( x ) = 1 x

Instead, choose Math > Parentheses from the Types menu or select the Parentheses option on the Maths palette to enter the parentheses properly.