How to Solve Algebraic Equations in PowerPoint

Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 can help you make creative and professional presentations that engage your audience and allow you to solve equations step-by-step. Instead of using a white board to write and erase equations with a marker, preload your equations onto PowerPoint slides. Creating documents with mathematics often involves Greek letters, summation signs, integration signs and other attributes that are difficult to place into a regular slide. With Microsoft's equation editor, a built in function in PowerPoint 2007, correctly formatted algebraic equations are a button away.

Things You'll Need

• PowerPoint 2007

Instructions

1. Click on the "Insert" button located in the toolbar. Click "Object," and select "Microsoft Equation" from the list.

2. Write the equation you want your students to solve in the editor. For example, 5x+10=35.

3. Click on "File", then "Exit and Return to Presentation." This closes the editor and returns you to your PowerPoint presentation.

4. Repeat Step 1 to open the equation editor again. Write the next step in the equation. For example, to solve 5x+10=35, the next logical step is 5x=45. Close the equation editor to insert the new Step into PowerPoint.

5. Continue inserting steps of the equation into PowerPoint, using the equation editor, until you have a step-by-step breakdown of how to solve the equation.

6. Click on "Animations" in the top toolbar. Select which animation you want from the animations drop down box. For example, if you want your step to fly in, choose "Fly" In from the drop down box.

7. Repeat Step 6 for all parts of the equation.

8. Start the slideshow by clicking the "Slideshow" tab and choosing "From Current Slide." The first part of the equation will be shown.

9. Click the mouse to bring the next part of the equation on the screen.

10. Repeat Step 9 until the equation's solution is shown on screen.

Tips & Warnings

• If Microsoft Equation Editor does not show up in the object dialog box, you may need to install it. It can be found on your original Office 2007 installation disk.

References

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Add equations with Microsoft Equation to your Office document