Answer:
MathType is simple to install and use with no instructions. Even so, if you're new to MathType we have some tips that will help you get started.
Invest an hour in the tutorials. That's the best advice we can give. It shouldn't take longer than an hour, but it will save you hours in the future as you use MathType.
Just start using it. Here are the basics:
You can open MathType from the Windows Start Menu or the Mac Applications folder. It will be even easier if you add it to the Windows Taskbar or the Mac Dock.
If you're using Microsoft Word, look for the MathType tab on Word's ribbon or if you're using Word 2011 for Mac, the MathType floating toolbar or MathType menu. More information in the tutorial Working with Microsoft Word.
If you're using Apple Pages, Keynote, or Numbers, look for the Equation command in the Insert menu. Note you'll need to ensure Pages/Keynote/Numbers are configured to Insert and edit equations with MathType (Pages > Preferences > General).
Whether using Word, PowerPoint, Pages, Keynote, or Numbers, after you build the equation, close the MathType window (either the X in the upper right for Windows, or the red dot in the upper left for Mac) to insert the equation into the document.
If you're using MathType with most any other application, you can 1) look for an Object or OLE Object command in the Insert menu or 2) copy & paste.
Other than that, building an equation is easy. Choose symbols and templates from MathType's palettes. Alternatively, use the corresponding keyboard shortcuts. We've tried to make the most common ones intuitive -- Ctrl+F for fraction, Ctrl+R for square root (radical), etc. In general, "Ctrl" on Windows is replaced with "Command" on Mac. You can also customize the shortcuts to make them easier to remember (Preferences > Customize Keyboard).
If you're unsure of an item in MathType's palettes, point to it with the mouse. Whatever you're pointing to, its name will appear in MathType's status bar (the bottom of the MathType window). If the symbol or template also has a keyboard shortcut, that will appear in the status bar as well.
Symbols that are already on the keyboard (+, –, =, <, >, etc.) aren't duplicated on the MathType toolbar. If you want them there, you can add them. To do that, add them to the equation editing area, then select and drag to an empty spot on the customizable area of the toolbar (i.e., the bottom 3 rows).
Step-by-step explanation: