== Frequently Asked Questions: Normal Mode ==


=== '''How can I create a differential cross-section plot?''' ===

Okay, first of all, let's assume that you know what plots you want to prepare and you know that MadAnalysis assumes the cross-section is always in pb. So let's start running !MadAnalysis.
{{{
$ ./bin/ma5
}}}
You should be able to see that all necessary functionality is available to you. Now import your sample and set its cross-section
{{{
ma5>import samples/zz.lhe.gz as my_sample
ma5>set my_sample.xsection = 123
}}}
note that if you press tab after {{{ set my_sample.}}} you will see all the available options for the sample. Now let's plot transverse momentum for leading positron.
{{{
ma5>plot PT(e+[1])
}}}
Note that automatically this will create a {{{selection}}}
{{{
ma5>display selection[1]
MA5:   * Plot: PT ( e+[1] )
MA5:   * Binning: nbins=100, xmin=0.0, xmax=1000.0, regions=[]
MA5:   * Stacking method: stacked
MA5:   * Particles under consideration: finalstate
MA5:   * Particle ordering: PTordering
}}} 
''Note try pressing tab after everything, you will see available options!'' By default, MadAnalysis is designed to plot the number of events, not cross-section so let's change the luminosity value to get the cross-section. Note that luminosity, by default, is always inverse fb. Also lets modify the y-axis label with proper units.
{{{
ma5>set main.lumi = 1e-3 * 10 # see the bin size up there
set selection[1].titleY = "#frac{d#sigma}{dp_{T}} [pb/GeV]"
}}}
Note that my rendering engine for histogramming is ROOT that's why I used ROOT's LaTeX convention if you have a different engine, make sure that you are using proper LaTeX convention. And here is the final result:
[[Image(http://madanalysis.irmp.ucl.ac.be/raw-attachment/wiki/FAQNormalMode/diffxsec.png)]]



[[BR]]

=== '''Where do I see all the plot options?''' ===

1) press tab after typing plot.


2) Read the reference card in your local {{{madanalysis/doc}}} folder.