Q:        Unlike earlier versions of Derive, why are the algebra window’s state variable values saved in dfw files created by Derive 6? 

A:        In order to restore the environment in effect at the time worksheets are saved, the expressions in the algebra window, as well as all the user-defined functions and variable assignments, are saved in dfw files.  In earlier versions of Derive, the values of state variables (for example, the precision; notation; radix base; and the exponential, log, and trig simplification settings) were not saved in dfw files.  This made it impossible to fully restore the worksheet’s environment when it was opened.  Therefore, Derive 6 saves the state variable values in dfw files (for details, see Using and Saving State VariablesUsing_and_Saving_State_Variables).  So now if while working at 20 digits of precision you save a worksheet, that same precision is restored when the worksheet is re-opened. 


Q:        Unlike earlier versions of Derive, why are the algebra window’s state variable values not saved in the Derive 6 initialization file? 

A:        When earlier versions of Derive started and a new blank worksheet created, the state variable values were set to those in effect the last time Derive was shutdown.  These settings may have long since been forgotten by the user and/or not appropriate for the task at hand.  Therefore, to avoid confusion, when Derive 6 starts the state variable values are set to their factory defaults.  So there is no need to save state variable values in the initialization file.  However, Derive 6 continues to save the Windows state information (for example, window sizes and colors, printing options, etc.) in the file (for details, see the Derive Initialization FileDerive_Initialization_File).


Q:        How do I highlight a subexpression of an expression or the elements of a vector or matrix? 

A:        To highlight a subexpression of an expression or an element of a vector or matrix, move the mouse pointer to the desired subexpression or element, and then click the left mouse button until only the subexpression or element is highlighted.  If you double click, the smallest subexpression containing the mouse pointer is highlighted.  Alternatively, you can press Shift+Right, Shift+Left, Shift+Up or Shift+Down arrow key combinations to highlight the desired subexpression (for details, see Selecting Objects and SubexpressionsSelecting_Objects_and_Subexpressions). 


Q:        How do I edit a highlighted expression?

A:        Press the Return key or use the Edit > Expression command129EYT7 to edit the highlighted expression.  Or, you can press F3 to copy the highlighted expression or press F4 to copy the highlighted expression with parentheses around it into the expression entry line.  Alternatively, if you copy the expression to the Windows Clipboard using the Edit > Copy command1NC0U5N, you can paste it onto the editing line by pressing Ctrl+V.  Note that you can click the right mouse button to select either of these copying methods from a popup menu.


Q:        How do I copy Derive expressions into a word processing document?

A:        Highlight the expressions to be copied and issue the Edit > Copy command1NC0U5N to copy the expressions to the Windows Clipboard in text format.  Then switch to your word processor and use its Paste command (usually found in the Edit menu) to paste the expressions from the clipboard into your document.  (Note that in Microsoft Word the "Use Smart Cut and Paste" option in the Tools Options Edit dialog should be turned off before you paste the Derive expressions.  If this option is on, multi-line expressions will be improperly displayed.)  After pasting, select the expressions and reformat them using the Derive Unicode font if it is not the default font.

Alternatively, use the File > Write > Rich Text Format File commandsI2E73C or press Ctrl+R to save all of the objects (except OLE objects) in the active Derive worksheet as an rtf file.  rtf files are suitable for loading into many word processing programs.


Q:        Why don’t the Derive expressions display nicely in my word processing document?

A:        The only font that will display all kinds of Derive expressions properly in a word processing document is the Derive Unicode font.  The reasons are twofold: 1) the Derive Unicode font correctly maps all the Greek and mathematical characters displayed in a Derive Algebra window; and 2) the Derive Unicode font is a fixed-width font.


Q:        How do I copy an image of a Derive plot window into a document in another Windows application?

A:        Using the plot window’s Edit > Copy Plot Window commandTZKOCB or press Ctrl+C to copy an image of the plot window to the clipboard in bitmap format.  Then, switch to your Windows application and use the Paste command (usually found in the Edit menu) to paste the image into your document.  Note that the application you paste the image into must support the bitmap format.


Q:        When resizing a plot or algebra window using the sizing handles, how do I prevent the window from being redrawn before I let go of the mouse?

A:        If it takes too long to continuously display a window’s contents while resizing it, turn off the Show Window Contents While Dragging feature of Windows.  When this feature is off, only an outline of a window is displayed while it is moved or resized.  To turn it off, run the Window’s Control Panel Display program.  If running Windows 98, click on the Effects tab of the dialog box.  If running Windows NT or Windows 95 with Microsoft Plus!, click on the Plus! tab.  Finally click on the Show Window Contents While Dragging check box to turn the feature off. 


Q:        How do I change the size of the characters used to display mathematical expressions on the screen?

A:        Use the Options > Display > Font of All Expressions commandHIKJU8 to select the font size, style and color used to display expressions in the Algebra window.  The same font will be used for printing and previewing expressions.


Other Frequently Asked Questions and AnswersFrequently_Asked_Questions_and_Answers 

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