Latex Definition and 999 Threads

Latex is a stable dispersion (emulsion) of polymer microparticles in water. Latexes are found in nature, but synthetic latexes are common as well.
Latex as found in nature is a milky fluid found in 10% of all flowering plants (angiosperms). It is a complex emulsion consisting of proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, tannins, resins, and gums that coagulate on exposure to air. It is usually exuded after tissue injury. In most plants, latex is white, but some have yellow, orange, or scarlet latex. Since the 17th century, latex has been used as a term for the fluid substance in plants, deriving from the Latin word for "liquid." It serves mainly as defense against herbivorous insects. Latex is not to be confused with plant sap; it is a distinct substance, separately produced, and with separate functions.
The word latex is also used to refer to natural latex rubber, particularly non-vulcanized rubber. Such is the case in products like latex gloves, latex condoms and latex clothing.
Originally, the name given to latex by indigenous Equator tribes who cultivated the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, was "caoutchouc", from the words caa ('tear') and ochu ('tree'), because of the way it is collected.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. D

    LaTeX How can I adjust paragraph indentation and spacing in LaTeX?

    How do I make it so that (1)There is no indentation at the beginning of paragraphs (2)2 lines seprate every paragraph in Latex?
  2. C

    LaTeX Changing 'Alt Text' of Hyperlinks in LaTeX

    I'm using the hyperref package in LaTeX and I was wondering if there's a way to change the 'alt text' (title text) for links. Anyone know? Perhaps there is a different package I could use?
  3. I

    LaTeX How to Modify Tensor Order in LaTeX

    Hey I was hoping someone could help me on this LaTeX problem. So usually when we have tensors, we have to be careful in how they are spaced and ordered. However in LaTeX it just lines it up and does not give me the order that I want. Can anyone help me with this?
  4. T

    LaTeX Latex: Congruent Symbol with Slash

    How do you do this symbol in latex (a congruent sign with a slash through it)?
  5. T

    LaTeX Improving Latex Image Quality: Can Anti-Aliasing and Text Size Increase Help?

    Hi! Is there possible to improve the quality of the images generated by latex code? It should be good if anti aliasing could be turned on, which would produce smooth and fine images. Now, the text looks a little bit awkward in my opinion, since it it all edged, and the small text is hard to read.
  6. Redbelly98

    LaTeX Troubleshooting Latex: Can't Generate Multiple Lines in a Single [tex] Block?

    I can't seem to generate multiple lines within a single [ tex ][ /tex ] block. It's supposed to happen if I type \\ but it just never works for me. Example: f_1(x) = x \\ f_2(x) = 1-x^2 The "f2(x)" is supposed to start on a new line. What am I doing wrong?
  7. N

    LaTeX White Backgrounds on LaTeX in Math: DE's on Google Chrome

    A minor bug: I'm using Google Chrome browser, I just posted a thread in Math: DE's and all the latex are showing up with white backgrounds, instead of clear. Not a serious issue, just letting you know it's there.
  8. G

    LaTeX [Q]Why does latex code fail to post fomula now?

    Before physics forum sever moved, latex code i wrote did well But at this time, all latex code i wrote fail mulfunctions. What happened? and How do i have to do?
  9. R

    LaTeX Typesetting Multiple Overlapping Braces in LaTeX

    I'd like to typeset an expression like, a + b + c + d = e The problem is I'd like to use multiple underbraces (or perhaps overbraces) which may also overlap. For example, \underbrace{a + b}_\textrm{brace 1} + c + d = e is the first brace. But I'd also like to have a second brace...
  10. T

    LaTeX No Indent Latex: How to Remove Paragraph Ident

    How to not have an ident in front of a paragraph in latex?
  11. T

    LaTeX Learn How to Create Diagonal Maps with Arrows in Latex | Step-by-Step Guide

    How to do diagonal maps labeled with a map in Latex? In other words how to do very long arrows that go diagonal, sideways, downwards etc.
  12. A

    LaTeX Fixing LateX Update Issues: How to Change "ln" to "log2" on Physicsforums

    In a recent thread, I edited "ln" to "log2", I have tried to restart physicsforums, but STILL, the old "ln" is showing up. This is not the first time, and it is very annoying.
  13. S

    LaTeX How to make a poster with latex?

    Does anybody have a latex file that I can use as a template to make a 48 x 36 poster? Any help is welcomed.
  14. B

    LaTeX Latex: How to Create a Wide Check Symbol

    How do I do a wide check symbol in latex? A wide hat or wide tilde is easy, it is simply \widehat{long expression} or \widetilde{longexpression} There is no command for wide check, i.e an upside down hat.
  15. M

    LaTeX LaTeX: fourms test_{max} Calculation

    test_{max}=\sqrt{test^{2}}
  16. Z

    LaTeX Another way to input latex code here using LYX

    Hi everyone, Maybe it's useful for someone who are not familar with latex but want to enter complex formulas. I suggest a new way to insert latex formated equations. I use LYX (www.lyx.org) ,it is a open source Latex WYSIWYG word processor. It will display the the latex code in another...
  17. M

    LaTeX Latex Equations Rendering Limits in PF Forums

    Hi, I have used latex generated equations in several forums and realize that there is a cutoff as to the number of equations that can be rendered, although I don't know what the limit is, i.e. I have just reach a point where it just fails. Tonight, I was trying to submit 3-4 equations, which...
  18. H

    LaTeX Troubleshooting Latex Table Errors: Tips from a Thesis Writer

    Hi guys, I need some help from you. I was writing my thesis and I am having a problem in making a table. I wrote the following, \begin{table}[ht] \caption{Moody's and S\&P rating system with numerals} \centering \begin{tabular}{l l} \hline\hline Moody's Rating &...
  19. L

    LaTeX How do I get LaTeX to put the infinity on top of the SUM symboL

    I need to make a power series in LaTex that looks like this u = \Sigma^{\infty}_{k=0} a_kx^k But I wan the infinity on top of the sum and the k=0 on the bottom like normal setting out but I can't find out how to do it? Hopefully someone from here can show me! Thanks
  20. I

    LaTeX Latex Starter Help: Troubleshooting Errors

    So i downloaded texnic center over at http://www.toolscenter.org then got mik tek installed And have a friends thesis template (hahah could i be anymore spoon fed) and yet when i try to build/compile/hit F7 with all my might i don't get a pdf preview am i missing something? UPDATE when i...
  21. D

    LaTeX Is it possible to define in LaTeX documents Latex Help

    Is it possible to define in LaTeX documents something like \ket{X} to be \left| X\right> so I don't have to type that every time?
  22. T

    LaTeX Fixing Latex Errors: Tips for Achieving a Polished Document

    Do you do it? I tend to not do it as long as it looks fine.
  23. T

    LaTeX Mastering Latex to Drawing Diagrams

    How to do that?
  24. I

    LaTeX Does anyone know of good Latex templates?

    I know one the most common threads here are latex related, but would anyone have any good layout templates that they personally thought looked good or something they've come across? I'm toying with a prehistorically old template for my thesis and I'm not liking the look of it. Any help?
  25. O

    LaTeX APL Latex Template File - Get Ready for Publication

    Hi all, I am planning to publish in APL (Applied Physics Letters). However, the RevTEX4 package that I downloaded from the website is too complex and you cannot choose APL from the journals. Does any of you have a template file for APL journal?
  26. T

    LaTeX How Can I Resolve the ntheorem Error in Latex?

    Hello, I have a problem with Latex. I use MikeTex as Latex distribution and TexnicCenter as editor. I want the code for a mathematical sentence with proof. I used the package ntheorem and I got the mistake: Waht did they mean with "already defined"? My code is...
  27. J

    LaTeX Simple latex notation question

    Is there a symbol in latex for a divide bar that works with absolute values? The problem is for example if you want to write |a| divides |b|. It ends up looking horrible because you can't tell the difference between the abs value signs and the divide bar... |a| \vert |b| Any suggestions?
  28. E

    LaTeX Fixing Subfloat Image Labels in LaTeX Captions

    Hello, I am using the subfloat package. I have several images in my figure and I wanted to have an (a), (b), (c) under them and then refer to them like that in the caption. However, when I do ref {image1a} in the caption it shows up as "1a" instead of "a". I don't want the "1" because this is...
  29. T

    LaTeX Latex Tips: Bold Letters and Larger Fonts

    How to do bold letters and larger font with certain words in Latex?
  30. L

    LaTeX How do I use LaTeX in my question?

    Homework Statement I have a complicated working out I'd like someone to look at but it's too much without LaTeX and I just can't remember how to embed it... Can someone help me...Thanks :)
  31. I

    LaTeX Troubleshooting Latex Header Alignment Issue - Need Help | IHateMayonnaise

    Hello! I am finishing up a paper in Latex that I am writing for my internship and I am having a problem. For some reason, pretty much every other header is left justified one notch. i.e., if I have a header that is right justified, using \rhead{}, then on certain pages it shows up as center...
  32. snoopies622

    LaTeX Adjusting the Size of LaTeX Math Characters

    I don't know if this is the correct forum for my question, but can someone show me how to change the size of my latex mathematical characters? Is there a 'size' command or something equivalent?
  33. K

    LaTeX Testing Latex - don't bother to read

    [tex]\int^fdx[\tex]
  34. R

    LaTeX Which Email Programs Support LaTeX Commands?

    Hey there folks, Does anyone know if there are any email programs out there where you could embed latex commands much like in this form with the tex and /tex commands. I think it would be pretty cool if there were. Rich
  35. T

    LaTeX Problem with LaTeX hyperref package

    I am having some trouble with the hyperref package in terms of it not actually providing links to my internal references. If I use the pdflatex command to compile my document to a pdf, the links work fine. However if I use the latex command to compile to a dvi and then dvi2pdf (or whatever...
  36. T

    LaTeX Create Latex Lemma 1.1: No Indentation Needed

    Just say you are inside a lemma, which Latex automatically labels as Lemma 1. You'd like another lemma inside this one, call Lemma 1.1, what command do you type? How do you make it so that when a new paragraph starts, no indenting appears?
  37. H

    LaTeX I want to be able to use latex but I do not know how

    I want to be able to use latex but I do not know how ?help
  38. Z

    Mathematica Mastering LaTeX for Mathematical Formula Display

    Hi When posting, I am trying to display maths formulae using LaTeX. It is so much easier to read. When I hit 'Preview post' all I see is the raw LaTeX; [tex] 3i\theta + 2ik\pi = i\frac{\pi}{2} [tex] Is there something else that I need?
  39. K

    LaTeX Latex Bug: Indentation with \sin(x) \] \cos(x)

    Check this formula: \sin(x) \] \cos(x) The \] there (click formula for source) seems to cause some strange indenting for sin(x). Is this a bug in the Latex formula generator?
  40. W

    LaTeX Is latex uncommon among experimental physicists?

    To put my question in perspective, I'm starting grad school in the fall, and as an undergrad I was pretty sure I wanted to be a theorist so my range of experience with experiment is limited - I like reading papers off arxiv, and it's pretty rare to pull a theory paper that isn't typeset in...
  41. T

    LaTeX Latex for Beginners: Easy Guide for Dummies

    I need a site that explains Latex to dummies
  42. M

    LaTeX Troubleshooting Latex Errors on Forums

    Hi, I don't know if it's some mistake that I've been committing without realising it, but the Latex facility provided by this forum has given me no end of trouble. The following are two major problems I've faced: 1) Post preview generates a database error if there is too much latex in one...
  43. D

    LaTeX Incorrect or non-functional Latex display

    I don't know if it's just me, but the latex code I've entered in https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=242141" doesn't display at all, instead it's replaced by the invalid latex code red message. I checked the syntax and it seems to be all right. When I copied the Latex code and...
  44. V

    LaTeX Pasting LATEX Content from LyX Editor to Forum Posts

    Hi I am first time user of LATEX. I have LyX editor where I am able to create LATEX documents. But I couldn't find any clear solution for pasting that LATEX content into my posts in the forum. Is there any simple way to copy LATEX document from the editor to forum posts?
  45. E

    LaTeX Latex, TeX & MikTeX: What is the Difference?

    I downloaded the TeXnic center and miktex and I have used them to produce very beautiful mathematical typesetting but I have never really understood how they are related. Can someone please explain what is the difference between latex and miktex, how they work together, whether I really need...
  46. R

    LaTeX LaTeX on Kubuntu Linux - Where to install packages?

    In which directory?I am using Kile + Live TeX.
  47. N

    LaTeX [Latex] Double -> Single Column

    Hi all, I have a class file template which uses double columns throughout. I wish to insert a table which will fill the entire page so I need to somehow break the two column format for a small section and then go back to it afterwards. Does anyone know how to do this? Thanks in...
  48. Greg Bernhardt

    LaTeX LaTeX in Blogs: How to Recover Old Entries

    LaTeX is now in the blogs. However not in comments, but in entries. I want to again remind everyone who had a blog in the old system that you can recover those entries by going here: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=239834
  49. J

    LaTeX Latex Stopped Working - Forum Problem?

    All latex stopped working! I see the text "click to see latex code for this image" everywhere around the forums. I cannot know if something went wrong with my browser, or if this is a temporary problem with forum software, so I wrote this post to find out. Do others have the same problem now?
  50. J

    LaTeX Is the LaTex Button Missing on Your Toolbar? We're Working to Fix It!

    Ever since todays PF update, the LaTex button no longer appears on my toolbar. Is this a temporary problem? Jon
Back
Top