Using LaTeX
Overleaf allows you to use LaTeX online (you don't need the program on your computer). This is probably the easiest way to get started. You can find a lot of documentation and help on this site, including a 30 minute web tutorial and some outdated video tutorials.
LaTeX and TeXMaker are available on the machines in Schaefer 165. Just find TeXMaker on the desktop or in the programs menu. You can also download free software to install on your own computer:
ProTeXt, a distribution for Windows
MacTeX, a distribution for Mac
Both from the TeX Users Group
Note that these are large (about 1 GB) files and require lots of disk space on your computer. For Mac users, TexShop is highly recommended.
Alex's Guided Introduction with Sample File and Cheat Sheets
Here is a relatively quick introduction to get you up and running, with cheat sheets and a style guide to help you with later questions. As an alternative, you may consider the short course by Gratzer listed under books.
The LaTeX sample file latexsample2.tex, linked here is a plain text file. It is a program that runs in the LaTeX software, producing as output the file latexsample2.pdf, linked here. Copy the .tex file and make sure you can run it in either Overleaf or your own LaTeX software. Read both documents so you can understand how the program works. You can use this as a template for your own documents.
Now check out the Introduction to LaTeX math for undergraduates from Jim Hefferon. This contains useful information on math mode and serves as a cheat sheet for most of the commands you would use to typeset mathematics.
Here are a few other cheat sheets loaded with LaTeX commands and their outputs. These could be useful when you're looking for some particular way to make a symbol, add space, or size up a character. Keep in mind that you can also look up information on the web. For example, try "latex nested function" in Google. LaTeX Cheat Sheet by Winston Chang:
.tex file
.pdf file
Alternative 1-page Cheat Sheet:
LaTeX One Pager
Another Big List of Mathematical Symbols:
Math Symbols
Lastly, this guide to mathematical style in LaTeX from MIT has really good advice for improving the look of your output. Look especially at the third section on the fine points of looking good. Making Good-Looking Math in LaTeX
Books and Tutorials
In my opinion the best introduction to LaTeX for math is the short course by George Gratzer, available here. This is the first chapter of the book More Math into Latex. Also includes an installation guide in an appendix.
A Short Book on LaTeX
The Not So Short Introduction to LaTeX 2e
If you absolutely must watch youtube videos, you can find some here, here, here, and here . Note that the second one includes its own cheat sheet and that the speaker mispronounces LaTeX.
More Documents from MIT
In addition to the
Making Good-Looking Math in LaTeX,
Essential Features of Math Mode
Making Figures and Tables in LaTeX
Making Presentation Slides Using Beamer
More Web Resources
List of resources from the TeX Users Group.
The TeX Catalogue Online has all the packages (.sty files) you might need.
Detexify: Draw a symbol and get the LaTeX command (maybe)
Google your question about LaTeX or what you want to do, and you'll probably find that someone has a solution to your problem.