How I’ve Been Preparing My Calculus and Statistics Revision Materials Using LaTeX

For the past few weeks, I’ve been deep in revision mode—working through calculus and statistics, building structured notes, and preparing practice booklets that I can rely on for long-term study. As the content became heavier and the formulas more complex, I found myself needing a tool that could handle the mathematics cleanly, consistently, and professionally. That’s where LaTeX entered the picture.

Using LaTeX has completely changed the way I prepare revision materials. Instead of messy formatting, scattered notes, or screenshots of equations, everything now lives in beautifully typeset documents that look like real academic material. Here’s how I’ve been using it—and why it works so well.

Why LaTeX?

LaTeX is not just a writing tool—it’s a typesetting system designed for documents that need precision. Mathematics, especially calculus and statistics, naturally fits into this category.

Key benefits that have helped me:

1. Beautiful Equation Formatting

Whether it’s derivatives, integrals, probability density functions, or long chains of algebraic manipulations, LaTeX renders them with clarity.

Inline math like ( f(x) = x^2 ) looks clean, and display equations—especially for step-by-step derivations—stand out clearly.

2. Structured Documents

I can organize topics into sections and subsections, add tables of contents, references, and consistent numbering for:

• Theorems
• Definitions
• Examples
• Practice questions

The structure makes revision smoother because I can jump to exactly what I need.

3. Reusability and Modularity

I can split my notes into multiple .tex files:

• One for integrals
• One for limits
• One for statistical distributions
• One for practice problems

Then combine them into a single PDF whenever I need to.

4. Professional Layout

The final PDF looks like a textbook—clean margins, mathematical fonts, spacing, and layout all handled automatically.

My Workflow: From .tex File to Final PDF

Once I finish writing a section or chapter, I compile it into a PDF. This is one of the best parts of the workflow—LaTeX converts raw text and commands into a polished output.

Here’s how I usually do it:

1. Writing the .tex file

I use a standard template that includes packages like:

• amsmath, amssymb – for calculus formulas
• geometry – to adjust page layout
• graphicx – for graphs or diagrams
• enumitem – for custom lists and practice questions

I write everything in a simple text editor like VS Code, Texmaker, or even a terminal editor if I’m working late.

2. Compiling

To convert the .tex file into a PDF, I usually run:

pdflatex filename.tex

Sometimes I run it twice so the references, numbering, and TOC synchronize correctly.

3. Automatic Conversion

If I’m generating booklets or multiple documents at once, I use simple shell scripts or Makefiles to compile everything in one command. This is extremely useful when revising late at night—minimal friction, maximum output.

What Kind of Revision Materials I’ve Been Creating

1. Calculus Booklets

• Basic properties of integrals
• Techniques of integration
• Step-by-step solved examples
• Long practice sections (dozens of questions)

2. Statistics Notes

• Probability basics
• Continuous and discrete distributions
• Expectation, variance, and transformations
• Practice datasets and computational exercises

3. Mixed Practice Sets

Some nights I focus only on practice:

• Definite integrals
• Optimization problems
• Probability computations
• Short answer vs full solution formats

Because the PDF output is so clean, it feels like reading a book I authored myself—which is surprisingly motivating.

Working Late Into the Night

One thing I appreciate about LaTeX is how calm and productive it makes those late-night study sessions. I don’t waste time formatting. I don’t get distracted by layout issues. Typing equations becomes second nature, and the output is always clean.

The more I use it, the more I realize how powerful it is—not just for writing notes, but for building a long-term library of study materials that I can revise anytime.

Final Thoughts

LaTeX has become an essential part of my revision process. It helps me stay organized, present mathematics clearly, and build high-quality study materials that actually motivate me to keep going. Whether I’m working on integrals at midnight or building a statistics problem set in the morning, the tools fit seamlessly into my workflow.

If you’re studying math, engineering, or any technical subject, I strongly recommend giving LaTeX a try. It might feel unfamiliar at first, but once you get into it, your revision workflow will never be the same.

Useful Links

Learn LaTeX (Overleaf) – Comprehensive guides from basics to advanced topics. Overleaf

Learn LaTeX in 30 Minutes – Quick starter tutorial by Overleaf. Overleaf

Choosing a LaTeX Compiler – Explains how to compile .tex files to PDF, DVI, etc., including different compilers (pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX, LuaLaTeX). Overleaf

How to Compile a .tex File – Overleaf’s guide on compiling LaTeX source into PDF. Overleaf

Overleaf and TeX Live – Background on TeX Live (the LaTeX distribution) and how Overleaf uses it. Overleaf

How Overleaf Compiles Your Project – Technical insight into the compilation process (LatexMk, TeX engines). Overleaf

“Tips and Tricks on Using LaTeX for Creating Teaching Materials” — ASEE Conference Paper
This paper, from engineering faculty, explains how LaTeX’s modularity and programmability help in creating lecture notes, handouts, and homework. nemo.asee.org

“Create Accessible Equations and Formulas with LaTeX, Canvas, and Overleaf” — University of Chicago Academic Technology Solutions
A detailed guide on making LaTeX math accessible to screen readers, and integrating LaTeX content into Canvas. academictech.uchicago.edu

“Addressing the challenges associated with LaTeX professional development in Ghanaian higher education: Mathematics students’ perspectives” — Research Article
This study explores the difficulties students in Ghana faced in learning LaTeX and gives recommendations. Contemporary Math & Science Ed

“Why Use LaTeX for Math: Benefits, Techniques, and Challenges” — Scholarly.so Blog Post
A recent blog that clearly outlines pros and cons of using LaTeX, especially for mathematical content. Scholarly

“Mastering LaTeX: A Comprehensive Guide to Using LaTeX for Math” — Scholarly.so
An in-depth guide (2023) that goes through history, common techniques, and best practices for math-heavy documents. Scholarly