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.

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  1. Phylosopher

    LaTeX Is using latex to write a CV is a good idea?

    Hello,I know how to use latex, and some how I want to write that in my CV, but its really unprofessional to do that! so I am thinking of writing my CV and my personal statement instead with latex, and so if someone is interested in such a skill (Which isn't that much of a thing) he will notice...
  2. doktorwho

    LaTeX How do you draw diagrams on PhysicsForums?

    Instead of uplading a picture, i want to draw a circuit diagram or some kind of a diagram and upload it to PhysicsForums, is there a way to do that?
  3. C

    LaTeX Latex Cross References, citations etc not working

    Hi, not sure if this is the correct section so feel free to move if needed. First time using latex to create a pdf here, having trouble getting cross-references and citations to work. They just appear in the text as question marks. I got my bibliography to work, using Bibtex, but when using...
  4. K

    LaTeX LaTex Examples for Beginners on Physics Forums

    I'm new to Physics Forums. Yesterday I found something Greg Bernhardt wrote with lots of examples of how to use LaTex. Today I am having no luck finding that posting or article or whatever it was. Can someone point me to it?
  5. T

    LaTeX How to write the following in LaTeX

    Sorry if this question is too simple or inappropriate for this forum. I just saw this text in a pdf and was wondering how I can get the specific font they used for ##N##. Any ideas?
  6. S

    LaTeX Copy Latex without using "+quote"?

    Is there a good way to copy a mathematical expression from a post into the message editor without using the "+quote" feature below the post? Of course, if I highlight a mathematical expression in post and use copy-paste into the message editor, the expression doesn't get pasted as useful...
  7. gmax137

    LaTeX Finding Latex Equations and Formulas: Did We Lose the Search?

    There is (somewhere) a list of equations, formulas, etc. and the corresponding Latex to create them. Allowing one to cut & paste the Latex into posts or replies. Do you know where that list is now? I can't find it. In fact, I don't see the "Search" button anymore... Did we lose the Search...
  8. ibkev

    LaTeX Tweaking Latex rendering (for GitHub pages)

    Hi there - I'm experimenting with using GitHub pages in combination with Jekyll to make a blog that allows me to write Latex equations. I've noticed is that the rendered output looks slightly different, spacing-wise, from latex rendering here. In particular I find that a \frac will actually...
  9. karush

    LaTeX Online LateX Editors: Finding the Right Fit

    I have been trying to save certain problems that are solved here on MHB but the copy and paste the the final post to an online LateX editor. The features I am looking is do it as a document so I can save as a PDF with contents and such. I am trying for now Overleaf their free version. So...
  10. tesselate

    LaTeX What are the macros you guys use to speed up LaTeX-ing?

    Hello everyone! I was wondering if you guys could suggest some macro-s that you use in your LaTeX preamble, to speed up typing up your homeworks/reports. I think typesetting any report looks very professional, so I don't want to stop LaTeX-ing them. However, it does take a huge chunk of my day...
  11. S

    LaTeX Where can I find a simple LaTex tutorial for math software?

    There used to be (and perhaps is) a post that contained a simple LaTex tutorial. Since there is now a "Math Software and LaTex" section, I suggest putting an obvious link to the post in that section or making it a sticky thread there. A sticky with links to video tutorials about LaTex in...
  12. RJLiberator

    LaTeX Learn LaTeX: The Most Complete Tutorials

    Hello, I want to learn LaTeX. I've searched the web and there are clearly an abundance of tutorials around. What do you consider to be the most complete tutorial on learning LaTeX? This could be in video form (as a video series) or a pdf/book form. Thank you.
  13. karush

    LaTeX Cut and paste in to other Latex editors

    Occasionally I want to save a problem which was explained well here into a document outside the forum However, I can't find one of the online editors that seems compatible with the one here on MHB. Also, I have tried to compose a problem from an outside editor and c/p it here but there are...
  14. B

    LaTeX Where to Learn LaTeX for Mathematics?

    Hello! I am trying to write my notes in mathematics to permanently store my knowledge, and I am trying to learn LaTeX but it is quite difficult for me...Could you recommend me some sources and books to learn LaTeX for mathematics?
  15. morganj2003

    LaTeX Is a latex balloon's maximum strain independent of thickness?

    Is latex balloon maximum strain independent of latex thickness? I have been in search of a latex balloon that is relatively small when deflated and very large when fully inflated. Standard balloons that reach the desired inflated dimensions are much larger deflated than I would like...
  16. jim mcnamara

    LaTeX Latex in pervect's comments at bottom of insights article

    https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/a-problem-from-incandescence/ For me, many blank lines where I'm sure there should be something . Latex is just fine everywhere else on PF. Thanks for any help.
  17. M

    LaTeX Beginner's Guide to Learning Latex: Tips and Tricks for Getting Started

    Hi. I would like to learn latex but I do not know how to start? Would you like to guide me? First of all, before trying some simpler latex codes in the site, how can I try them in a different environment to see whether or not they work? For example I want to copy and past this [[itex, F_T...
  18. A

    LaTeX How to Write This in Latex (in This Forums)?

    How do you write this in Latex in this forums? Thanks
  19. jtbell

    LaTeX New version of the LaTeX primer

    I've cleaned out obsolete information, and rearranged it so basic stuff tends to come first, and included the bugs and tips mentioned in this thread. https://www.physicsforums.com/help/latexhelp/ Please feel free to post corrections etc. here!
  20. Monoxdifly

    LaTeX How to Install LaTeX in a Forum?

    Can you guys tell me how to install LaTeX in a forum? Thanks for advance.
  21. H

    LaTeX Discover the Benefits of LaTeX for Advanced Math Formatting

    The math formatting software. I get if you want to publish and that's what publisher expects but for non published work I see guys here use it. Simple editers do the job well enough so why learn the equivalent of a new programming language?
  22. Greg Bernhardt

    LaTeX Behind the Math: Peter Krautzberger - Comments

    Greg Bernhardt submitted a new PF Insights post Behind the Math: Peter Krautzberger Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
  23. anorlunda

    LaTeX Troubleshooting Latex Tables in Threads

    I used a table generator site http://www.tablesgenerator.com/ to create this latex code, but it doesn't work in a thread when I paste it in between dollar dollar delimiters. Help please. $$ \begin{table}[] \centering \caption{My caption} \label{my-label} \begin{tabular}{ll} 1 & TW base...
  24. andrewkirk

    LaTeX Latex rendering (another thread)

    In post #4 of this thread the latex engine seems to go haywire halfway through a 'display math' section delimited by double dollars. The same code, with the PF-specific breakouts for in-line tex converted to latex standards, works perfectly in my offline latex engine. Further, to my surprise...
  25. jim mcnamara

    LaTeX Solving the Micromass Big Integral Challenge - Issues with Latex Rendering?

    Great thread!: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/micromass-big-integral-challenge.867904/#post-5450007 I have a 16GB i7 windows 7 box with Firefox v45.0.2. I have NO add-ons to Firefox. Every time I open the one thread, it takes longer and longer - literally a minute the last time. No...
  26. Markus Hanke

    LaTeX LaTeX Display in Safari Browser

    For the past few weeks, I have had an issue displaying LaTeX on this forum. When I open up a thread that contains maths, I first see [math processing error] instead of the equations, and then, a few seconds later, just blank spaces. I am using Safari 9.0.3 on OSX El Capitan ( 10.11.3 ). This has...
  27. fluidistic

    LaTeX Changing the order of references using bibtex to sequential

    Hi people, I'm having a very hard time to sort the references sequentially in my latex document. Right now my text is displayed as "blabla... [13] blabla... blabla... [6]" , so that I get [13] and [6] instead of [1] and [2]. I use bibtex and here's a simplification of the format I use...
  28. A

    LaTeX How To Write Limit In Latex In This Forums?

    How to write limit like this in latex Instead of this
  29. F

    LaTeX Finding LaTex Symbols: Does Not Divide & Is Not Congruent to

    I've tried to figure it out but did not find them: Does anybody know how to code the symbols of "does not divide" = "not |" and "is not congruent to" = "not ≡" in LaTex? Thanks for reading.
  30. kaliprasad

    LaTeX Latex for limit specitied in result of integral

    When we integrate $f'(x)$ we get $f(x)$ and say we integrate from x = a to b in the output we write f(x) within square brackets and limit on the right. how do I write in latex thanks in advance.
  31. G

    LaTeX How do I draw this table on LaTeX?

    How do I draw this table on $\LaTeX$? \begin{aligned} \begin{array}{cc|c|c|c|} * && e & r & r^2& r^3& r^4& r^5& f& rf& r^2f& r^3f& r^{4}f& r^{5}f\\ \\ \hline e && e & r & r^2& r^3& r^4& r^5& f& rf& r^2f& r^3f& r^{4}f& r^{5}f \\ \hline r && r & r^2 & r^3& r^4& r^5& f& rf& r^2f& r^3f&...
  32. andrewkirk

    LaTeX Latex is now defaulting to non-italic

    I've just noticed that, since I last used it (two weeks ago), Latex has started rendering alphabetic characters in formulas as non-italic, which is non-standard, and doesn't look as good. See for example my post in this thread.
  33. W

    LaTeX What license should be used for Latex documents containing specialized packages?

    Greetings all, I recently wrote a midterm exam for my physics laboratory class using Latex. In preparing the document, I used some latex packages (specifically circuitikz). I want to post my .tex file and a pdf on my github page for students in future classes to view as a sample exam or anyone...
  34. B

    LaTeX How can matrices be written in Latex with or without vertical lines?

    How do you write a matrix such as below image in Latex, in this forum?
  35. S

    LaTeX Potential Energy Stored in latex rubber

    I am looking for a simple number which is the potential energy that can be stored in rubber. ( Joules per gram or something similar ) I know there are a number of forms of rubber and I keep reading numerous articles on how to calculate the energy content of a rubber band. Can anyone just tell...
  36. andrewkirk

    LaTeX Recognising $ as begin/end delimiter for in-line latex

    A minor, but recurring, obstacle with LaTeX on physicsforums is that it does not recognise either of the usual delimiters for in-line math, which are the single dollar symbol and the \( ... \) combination. The latex engines I use on my computers, which are MiKTeX on Windows, MacTex on Mac and...
  37. gfd43tg

    MATLAB MATLAB & LaTeX Syntax Solutions

    Hello, I am trying to publish a file on matlab, and for some reason it won't accept my code, even though it works on this forum. Does MATLAB use some other syntax for matrices? $$ \vec {x} = \begin {bmatrix} T-T_{s} \\ C_{A} - C_{As} \\ C_{P} - C_{Ps} \end {bmatrix}$$
  38. Stephanus

    LaTeX Latex Issues with PF Insights in Chrome

    Dear PF Forum, I use Google Chrome Version 43.0.2357.130 m My browser doesn't display LaTex in PF Insights. But it display latex on PF Forum other area. Forum and conversation but not in PF Insights. Even in chat window my browser display LaTex, but a mentor told me that typing latex in chat...
  39. B

    LaTeX Where Can I Learn LaTeX and How Efficient Is It for Note-Taking?

    Dear Physics Forum advisers and friends, I am a college junior with major in the mathematics and an aspiring mathematician in the theoretical computer science. Recently, I got very interested in the LaTeX as it seems that it is widely used in the mathematics (research papers, homework, etc.)...
  40. Dopplershift

    LaTeX LaTex: Is It Still Relevant for Physics Students?

    As a current Physics student, I am wondering if LaTex is still worth learning? How often is LaTex still used, and do you think WYSIWYG editors like Microsoft Word has replaced the need to learn LaTex? I appreciate your opinions. Thanks
  41. J

    LaTeX Is latex used so that your math is more readable?

    Is Latex so that your math problems look readable, so they look like they are written in an actual textbook? If this is what latex is for, how do I start learning latex? thanks
  42. S

    LaTeX Mastering Mathematical Notation on this Site: A Tutorial

    Is there a tutorial to learn how to write equations and mathematical symbols on this site? I don't know how to write integral symbols, summation symbols, subscripts, exponents etc ...
  43. Viraj Thakkar

    LaTeX Using the LaTeX Symbol for "E" for EMF Induction

    Please tell me how use the symbol for the emf induced "E" in LaTeX. Thank you.
  44. gfd43tg

    LaTeX LaTeX no longer working on my browser

    I did an update somewhat recently with Mozilla, and I noticed that my Latex on this forum no longer works, also next to threads are those small boxes, like something isn't working. Also, I have to re-login every time I open up the browser, instead of automatically being logged on. I'm assuming...
  45. Math Amateur

    LaTeX Latex code for the "not equivalent" symbol

    I have just posted on the Linear and Abstract Algebra forum ... and the post needs a "not equivalent" symbol as shown in Rotman's Proposition 1.58 part (ii) see below ... Can someone please help with the latex code for this symbol? PeterProposition 1,58 in Rotman's Abstract Algebra reads as...
  46. kq6up

    LaTeX Tutorial for Students w/ Posting in LaTeX in HW Helps Forum?

    I have some students that I am willing to tutor for free if they come here first, but I want to provide them with the information that they need to post questions with LaTeX if need be. They are freshman physics students. Are their any Youtube type tutorials for this? I looked, but found...
  47. C

    LaTeX Good latex editor for Mathematics?

    Hi, Just wondering: What Latex editor would you recommend for a beginner for writing a lot of mathematical equations?
  48. C

    LaTeX Bibliography in Latex, already part done manually

    Problem: After more than half of my thesis I was advised to use Latex. At this moment I'm learning it, so far looks doable. However, there is a problem of bibliography... yes, mostly manually formatted as it is supposed to look like in output file... I'd like to use Bibtex... but wouldn't it...
  49. C

    Mathematica Mathematical software: Latex, Mathml, MathType, Maple?

    Which mathematical software(s) can you recommend for 1. As a substitute for a calculator (TI89): making basic graphs, regressions (linear, exponential), vectors, solving equations, showing graphs in 2d and 3d? 2. Writing an ebook with lot's of math. I'm thinking Mathml or Mathtype might be...
  50. B

    LaTeX Writing Logarithms in Latex: A Beginner's Guide?

    How to write log3 (base 10) in Latex?
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