# How to create the name space for a kid's math worksheet? and other issues?

I want my worksheet the name and date to the left above the worksheet's title. I also want to learn what code to use to adjust the spacing. The spacing is a little off and I want the two columns of problems to be symmetrical. This is my code and I was hoping that someone experienced in this type-setting language can assist:

\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{gensymb}
\usepackage{amsfonts}
\usepackage{amsmath}
\begin{document}
\title{7th Grade Algebra: Exponents}
\author{Ms. Lampianerani}
\maketitle
\begin{tabular}{rl}
Name:  & \rule{0.25\linewidth}{\linethickness} \\
Date:  & \rule{0.25\linewidth}{\linethickness} \\
\end{tabular}

\section{Notes}
Simplify the following negative exponent problems. You want to get an answer with   all positive exponents.

\begin{minipage}{.45\linewidth}
\begin{flushleft}
\begin{enumerate}

\item $\displaystyle \frac{1}{k^{-5}}$
\item $k^{-5}$
\item $a^3 b^{-2}$
\item $c^{-4}d^{4}$
\item $(a^2 b^{-7})^{0}$

\end{enumerate}
\end{flushleft}
\end{minipage}
\hfill
\begin{minipage}{.45\linewidth}
\begin{flushright}
\begin{enumerate}
\setcounter{enumi}{5}

\item $\displaystyle \frac{-45}{5x^{-6}}$
\item $\displaystyle \frac{x^{-8}}{4y^{15}}$
\item $\displaystyle \frac{2a^3}{b^{-5}}$
\item $\displaystyle \frac{y^{-9}}{x^{-15}}$
\item $- 10y^{-3}$
\end{enumerate}
\end{flushright}
\end{minipage}
\end{document}

-
Are you open to using the exam document class? – Sean Allred Jan 8 '14 at 6:16
Thank you both kind gentlemen ! – guest Jan 8 '14 at 7:16

You will be better off with exam class or exsheets package. Any how, here is an answer.

\documentclass{article}
%\usepackage{gensymb}
\usepackage{amsfonts}
\usepackage{amsmath,multicol,eso-pic}
\begin{document}
\AtTextUpperLeft{%
\makebox(400,55)[lt]{%   %% change 55 for vertical adjustment
\footnotesize%
\begin{tabular}{r@{\,}l}
Name:  & \rule{0.5\linewidth}{\linethickness} \\[.5cm]
Date:  & \rule{0.5\linewidth}{\linethickness} \\
\end{tabular}
}}}
\title{7th Grade Algebra: Exponents}
\author{Ms. Lampianerani}
\maketitle
\section{Notes}
Simplify the following negative exponent problems. You want to get an answer with   all positive exponents.

\begin{multicols}{2}
\begin{enumerate}
\item $\dfrac{1}{k^{-5}}$
\item $k^{-5}$
\item $a^3 b^{-2}$
\item $c^{-4}d^{4}$
\item $(a^2 b^{-7})^{0}$
\item $\dfrac{-45}{5x^{-6}}$
\item $\dfrac{x^{-8}}{4y^{15}}$
\item $\dfrac{2a^3}{b^{-5}}$
\item $\dfrac{y^{-9}}{x^{-15}}$
\item $- 10y^{-3}$
\end{enumerate}
\end{multicols}

\end{document}


If you want name and date only on first page, use \AddToShipoutPicture*{% instead of \AddToShipoutPicture{% in the code (note *).

-

The solution is in \newcommand\Blank..., but consider using the exam document class for your quizzes. Note also that \dfrac is defined in amsmath as a shortcut of sorts for \displaystyle\frac.

\documentclass{exam}
\usepackage{amsfonts, amsmath}

\usepackage{multicol}

\newcommand\Blank[2][.33\linewidth]{%
% add strut to allow for handwriting
\rule{0pt}{4ex}%
% Prompt
#2\enspace
% And the actual line
\makebox[#1]{\hrulefill}}

\title{7th Grade Algebra: Exponents}
\author{Ms.~Lampianerani}

\begin{document}
\maketitle
\begin{flushright}
\Blank{Name:}

\Blank{Date:}
\end{flushright}

\section{Notes}
Simplify the following negative exponent problems.  You want to get an
answer with all positive exponents.

\begin{questions}
\begin{multicols}{2}
\question $\dfrac{1}{k^{-5}}$
\question $k^{-5}$
\question $a^3 b^{-2}$
\question $c^{-4}d^{4}$
\question $(a^2 b^{-7})^{0}$
\question $\dfrac{-45}{5x^{-6}}$
\question $\dfrac{x^{-8}}{4y^{15}}$
\question $\dfrac{2a^3}{b^{-5}}$
\question $\dfrac{y^{-9}}{x^{-15}}$
\question $- 10y^{-3}$
\end{multicols}
\end{questions}
\end{document}

-
I'd also put a "tie" (~) between Ms. and the teacher's last name, since the . in Ms. is not a sentence-ending punctuation mark. – Mico Jan 8 '14 at 6:41
@Mico Ah yes. I'm not used to seeing titles in \author. Edited. – Sean Allred Jan 8 '14 at 6:46