Maxima - Using it to typeset mathematical expressions:
Finally, Maxima can be used as a front end to typeset equations using LaTeX. While people familiar with LaTeX may still want to "tweak" the resulting output, the unmodified output from Maxima is more than usable for most purposes. Additionally, the convenience of being able to integrate typesetting into the mathematical analysis process yields considerable time savings in most instances.
Topic Discussion Maxima Input Maxima Output
Typesetting a result Maxima can typeset the result of any calculation.
factor(x^2+2*x+1);
tex(%);


       2
(x + 1)
$$\left(x+1\right)^2$$
Note: the FALSE statement that follows this result can be ignored.
Typesetting an arbitrary expression Alternatively, Maxima can typeset a non-evaluated expression. The expression need not be in correct Maxima syntax (see example), so it can be "adjusted" to obtained the desired mathematical look.

tex(f2(x,y)=sin(x^2+y^2));
Note: the expression inside the tex() typesetting command is not in correct Maxima syntax (the = should be :=), but this yields the desired typographic result.

$$f_2\left(x,y\right)=\sin \left(y^2+x^2\right)$$
Processing the output   Macintosh: launch the Latex Equation Editor. 1. Copy the portion of the tex() output line in between the two $$, and paste it into the Latex Equation Editor window.
2. The result can either be saved as a PDF file, or "dragged and dropped" from the display into another program (in either PDF or TIFF format - see preferences).
3. The method described below for Windows and Linux will also work.
The typeset output. For the two examples above:

Windows:open a DOS (command-line) window. Open a text editor. 1. Paste the following five lines verbatim into the text editor:
\documentclass{article}
\pagestyle{empty}
\begin{document}
\huge
\end{document}
2. Copy the tex() output line, and paste it between the \huge and \end{document} lines.
3. Save the result in text format as: myoutput.txt
4. In the terminal window, navigate to the directory where you saved myoutput.txt
5. type:
pdflatex myoutput.txt
6. Hit return - a PDF file called myoutput.pdf containing your typeset equation will now be created in this directory.
Linux: open a terminal window. Open a text editor.
Typesetting graphs  Create a graph as usual. plot2d(sin(1/x),[x,0.1,2*%PI]);
Point the cursor at the upper left corner of the graph to obtain a menu of options.

1. Click on Config, then click on Print Options, and make sure that Save as Postscript File is selected; enter a filename for your plot (e.g., myplot.ps), and click OK (twice).
2. Click on Save - the plot will be saved as a Postscript file.
3. Open a terminal (command-line) window. Navigate to the directory where you saved myplot.ps
4. type:
ps2pdf myplot.ps
5. Hit return - a PDF file called myplot.pdf will now be created in this directory.

We welcome your feedback on this workflow/tutorial - please email us at symmath@hippasus.com