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. Borek

    LaTeX Latex text formatting again - quotes in monotype

    This time I have a problem with monotype font and quotes. When I switch to typewriter font using ``quotes'' stops to work*. Character sequences (`` and '') that in other parts of the text are understood as opening and closing quotes are not translated. Standard "quotes" are rendered mostly OK...
  2. D

    LaTeX Get Jhep Latex Template From Author's ArXiv Page

    Hi, would anyone know where I could get [this](http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/tong/dynamics/clas.pdf) latex template from? I found this website http://jhep.sissa.it/jhep/help/JHEP_TeXclass.jsp but when I tried the example the font seems slightly different and the pdf it produced through...
  3. L

    LaTeX What is the Best Beginner Textbook for Learning LaTeX?

    There are a lot of books out there for learning this language. I have seen and used many good recommendations from this site so I would like to get some advice on which book to choose. Which book would you recommend or what have you used to become proficient with latex? Thanks
  4. ChrisVer

    LaTeX Insert Latex PDF Figures: Easy Guide to Captions

    Hi, I have some figures in a pdf form, and I'd like to pass them into latex as figures ->meaning I want to be able to use a caption. I used the: \usepackage{pdfpages} but this inserts the pdf page as it is, and I can't "edit" it (by adding a caption). Is there any possible way to do it?
  5. A

    LaTeX Notes taking and bad handwriting. Possible to use LaTeX ?

    Good morning, I am going back to school to get a degree in Physics in September. I am concerned about how to make clean summary/notes of what I'll learn. For information, I have a really really really bad handwriting and it is just painful to read what I write. That's why I thought about...
  6. R

    LaTeX Writing equations in latex into my html

    I just started learning html and css today. I am trying to build a webpage where I can place in all my homework questions and solutions. How can I use latex to write the equations in my html?
  7. binbagsss

    LaTeX Latex- how to do single quotes?

    Quickest way to do ' '? Thanks a lot !
  8. J

    LaTeX How can I insert a tif file into a Latex document?

    I am trying to insert the tif file: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/81787406/image.tif into a Latex file with: \usepackage{graphicx}\begin{figure}[ht!] \centering \includegraphics[width=50mm]{image.tif} \end{figure} but when I latex it I get the error: "Cannot determine size of graphic...
  9. evinda

    LaTeX Solving Line Breaking Issues in LATEX

    Hello! (Wave) I am writing a text in LATEX. Since the equalities I wrote are longer than the paper's size, I tried to break the line as follows, but it failed. \begin{multline} y'=y+4 \pi \cos(4 \pi t)y \Rightarrow y'=(1+ 4 \pi \cos(4 \pi t))y \cap \Rightarrow \frac{dy}{dt}=(1+ 4 \pi \cos(4...
  10. binbagsss

    LaTeX Learn How to Use the Variation Symbol in LaTeX for Calculus of Variations

    The functional one used for variations in calculus of variations. Had a google, can't seem to find. Thanks alot.
  11. R

    LaTeX Unlocking Latex Solutions for Plain Text: Tips for Writing Equations on Google

    I get most of the solutions of plain text on Google, showing various links or books. But questions having mathematical equation in them are not shown on Google. Is there a way to write latex on Google?
  12. S

    LaTeX Mathcad 2001 to Latex converter?

    I am looking for a converter that takes a Mathcad 2001 file, with various formulas and mathematical expressions, and transform it into Latex code that can be posted on forums. Do you know such a translator?
  13. C

    LaTeX Installing Vim Latex on Windows

    I want to install Vim Latex on a Windows machine. On looking at the SourceForge site VIM-LaTeX Download I found that the file available for download is a tar file (vim-latex-1.8.23-20141116.812-gitd0f31c9.tar). This appeared like the file for Unix. I am looking for the file for Windows. Can...
  14. Philosophaie

    LaTeX Non-online software package of Latex

    Does there exist a non-online software package of Latex. I would like to write a paper all in Latex. Is there such a thing as a Latex program?
  15. binbagsss

    LaTeX Simple LaTeX question, line-spacing equations

    So the only way I know is \ begin{align} f &= ma\\ E &= mc^2\\ \ pi &\ text{ is exactly three!} \ end{align}, But this labels them, and I don't want them labelled...Any assistance really appreciated, thank you !
  16. M

    Gas in a semi permeable membrane - one for the gas experts

    I believe I know the answer to this question; I need an expert to verify it for me. I work for a company that makes latex balloons. The people that have been here for a long time insist that if one is putting a small (5" balloon) filled with helium inside a larger (30") balloon then one must...
  17. S

    LaTeX Completely portable LaTeX system? Anything?

    There is a portable form of MiKTeX, but I have not yet found description of any portable editor program which could go along with it. Anyone knows of such a portable editor for use with portable MikTeX, please tell.
  18. M

    LaTeX Why Do TikZ Lines Change Color with \shade Command in LaTeX?

    hi pf! So I'm drawing a picture in tikz and when I use the \shade command my lines are changing from black into the color. anyone know how to prevent this? Thanks so much!
  19. Fredrik

    LaTeX How can I fix messed up LaTeX in my old posts?

    I noticed that the LaTeX in one of my old posts is messed up. The problems start with this piece: ##C:(a,b)\to \mathbb R^4## The result should look like this: ##C:(a,b)\to \mathbb R^4## But instead it looks like this: ##C:(a,b)\to \mathbb R^4##. Actually it's even worse. The 4 is on a new...
  20. B

    LaTeX Is LaTeX only used for typesetting math equations?

    How do you write on latex like this ##A = (1+2) * (4+7) * (2+9)## ##= 3 * 11 * 11## ##= 363## Instead of this? ##A = (1+2) * (4+7) * (2+9) = 3 * 11 * 11 = 363## How do you align at = in Latex? I would like to use Latex which is used in physicsforums in my PC. Please send me the download...
  21. ShayanJ

    LaTeX Can You Create Complex Drawings in LaTeX Using Tikz?

    Since LaTeX is very powerful, I'm curious whether its possible to do things like the below samples in it. Is it? Thanks
  22. PeterDonis

    LaTeX Post editor double-pastes LaTeX

    This is not a major gripe, but when quotes are automatically pasted into the post editor, anything that was LaTeX in the post being quoted gets pasted twice, once as either an image or roughly equivalent special characters, and once as the LaTeX source from the original post. Is there a way to...
  23. Fredrik

    LaTeX Slooooow (Firefox, pages with LaTeX)

    Some pages are so slow for me now that they're essentially unusable. For example this one: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/tangent-space-in-manifolds-how-do-we-exactly-define.685722/#post-4349806 I've been having a lot of problems with the computer that I'm on now, so at first I thought...
  24. dextercioby

    LaTeX Just opened a blog and want to LaTex it. Help?

    Hi, people, so I saw this: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/who-here-blogs-not-pf-blog-and-uses-latex.571791/ using the search function, but still didn't quite get it. :( I've just created a personal blog under the blogger.com website (or htpt:/notadvertisingit.blogspot.com) and of...
  25. B

    LaTeX How do you make a circled number using LaTeX

    There's a tutorial posted on how to make a circled number in LaTeX: tikz pgf - Good way to make \textcircled numbers? - TeX - LaTeX Stack Exchange however, it doesn't seem to work here. Why not?
  26. M

    Proving Non-Existence of Solutions to a Small Number Theory Problem

    Homework Statement This is a problem I had as a margin note in an old notebook that I will recycle. I want write it using LaTeX. Problem is that I also want to write it using "proper" math notation instead of English words. Firstly, I got this: \textrm{Proof that }\nexists x, y \in...
  27. Math Amateur

    LaTeX Latex code for the functor Hom_R( _ , X)

    Can someone please help me with the correct Latex code for the functor Hom_R( _ , X) When I try to get the correct symbol for the functor I get Hom_R( _ , X) , that is I get a symbol without the _ displayed. Can someone please help me with the correct code? Peter
  28. C

    LaTeX How to Create a Histogram in Latex: Step-by-Step Guide

    Homework Statement Hi, I need to create a histogram in Latex. I know how to do this, however, I only know how to do it if I have a limited number of points so I want it so that I can get a computer program to generate a list of numbers and save them to a file and then I can import this to Latex...
  29. D

    LaTeX How can I view the results of my LaTeX code without saving it first?

    i am a newbie to Latex. i have downloaded TeXWorks from the Internet. i copied and paste some text directly from the Internet to test it. Unfortunealy i can't see the 'results' when i saved it as a file. Which type of file should I save in order to see the 'results' . Can someone help please?
  30. E

    LaTeX LaTeX and how to use it to write my lab reports?

    What's a good place to start learning about LaTeX and how to use it to write my lab reports?
  31. Math Amateur

    LaTeX Latex code for the class SE of short exact sequences in Mod_R

    I just uploaded a post on the class SE of short exact sequences in Mod_R ... and tried to use Latex Code to achieve the same fancy script for S and E as Paul E Bland used in his text "Rings and Their Modules" ... but seemingly did not achieve the right script for S (E seems OK, or at least...
  32. ChrisVer

    LaTeX LaTeX question about Feynman Diagrams

    Has anyone of you tried to work with creating Feynman Graphs in LaTeX? I tried using the feynmf package, as explained here: https://www.sharelatex.com/learn/Feynman_diagrams and used the same introductory script: \begin{fmffile*}{diagram} \begin{fmfgraph}(40,25) \fmfleft{i1,i2} \fmfright{o1,o2}...
  33. STEMucator

    LaTeX Closed Integrals in LaTeX: Forum Q&A

    Does the forum have built in LaTeX for multiple closed integrals? I know that ##\oint## is for a single contour integral. I would've expected things like \oiint and \oiiint to work for surface and volume integrals.
  34. M

    LaTeX Create a vertical line in Latex

    Hi PF! I am very new with Latex and was building a resume using a downloaded template. What I would like to do is create a vertical line down the page. Can anyone help? The line of code that seems to create a horizontal line is...
  35. strangerep

    LaTeX Troubleshooting: Latex Not Functioning Properly

    Latex seems to have stopped working. (?)
  36. D

    LaTeX Latex Picture Help: 2 Inputs, 2 Outputs

    I want to have a picture of a box that depicts a function F that takes 2 inputs and 2 outputs with arrows, like-->| F | <-- <--|__| --> Can I do it with latex code, or do I need to draw a picture?
  37. evinda

    LaTeX Help with Latex: What Program to Download?

    Hello! (Wave) I have to write a text in latex.. (Nerd) Do you have any suggestions, which program I should download ? (Thinking)
  38. H

    LaTeX Latex problem with alignment character and &

    \begin{align*} AB &= \sqrt{(2-(-1))^2+(3-4)^2}\\ &= \sqrt{3^2+(-1)^2}\\ &= \sqrt{10}. \end{align*} is what i am entering. This is the error i am getting; misplaced alignment character &.I am baffled.
  39. Borek

    LaTeX Is LaTeX Suitable for Publishing Fiction Books?

    I am in need of preparing a book for publication (collection of short stories). Simple text, no images, no formulas, the fanciest thing needed is some paragraph formatting with left/right margins, plus some titles/subtitles. Almost doable with any word processing software. But I don't trust...
  40. Fredrik

    LaTeX Fixing LaTeX Symbol Display Issues on PhysicsForums

    In many posts with large LaTeX symbols, such as summation sigmas or the parentheses of a matrix, the upper part of those large symbols aren't displayed until you highlight them. If you then scroll them off the visible part of the page and then scroll back, they're messed up again. You should be...
  41. arivero

    LaTeX Latex Plot of Standard Model: Small and Major Seesaws | Koide Slides

    As a byproduct of the last slides on Koide, I have done a semilogx plot of the standard model in latex with the tikz and pfgplots packages, and it can be generically useful to everyone. So here is the gist: https://gist.github.com/arivero/e74ad3848290845de5ca I call this picture the "small...
  42. M

    LaTeX Concept and subject of latex and its usage and related questions on latex

    Hi, I have newly encountered with a subject called LaTeX. I try to learn it. I know it is a document preparation program. Can I install on my PC and start to use it like Matlab? For example where can I use this code? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMS-LaTeX Thank you.
  43. schrodingerscat11

    LaTeX Top LaTex Editors for Efficient Document Creation | Expert Recommendations

    Hi! What is your recommended LaTex Editor? Thanks everyone! :)
  44. D

    LaTeX Add Equations to Powerpoint 2011 Mac: LaTeX Guide

    I have PowerPoint 2011 for Mac. Is there an easy way to add equations, etc. into my slides?
  45. E

    LaTeX Creating a PDF Audio Presentation

    Hello all, I have created a PDF presentation using LateX. I want to add my commentary on the slides by recording my explanation using a mic and mark some parts of the slides while I am commenting, at least to be able to point where I want using the cursor. How can I do that? Thanks
  46. mesa

    LaTeX How do I make a Complex 'C' in Latex for sets?

    Hello all, I was wondering how to make that nice looking Complex 'C' when writing a set in Latex. For example, $$\{k\in C\mid k>0\}$$ looks okay but can be better.
  47. kq6up

    LaTeX Free Drawing Program for Math & Physics Books

    Is there a widely used free drawing program that is used in conjunction with LaTeX for math books and physics text? Thanks, Chris
  48. FilupSmith

    LaTeX LaTeX: Difference Between \frac and \dfrac?

    Hi, I'm trying to learn LaTeX and one of the things I'm trying to figure out is what is the difference between \frac and \dfrac? I mean, look: \frac{a}{b} is: $$\frac{a}{b}$$ \dfrac{a}{b} is: $$\dfrac{a}{b}$$ Other then the thickened line, is there really any difference? Thank you...
  49. Mandelbroth

    LaTeX Constructing Petersen Graph in LaTeX: Troubleshooting

    How would one construct a graph, like the Petersen graph, in LaTeX? Is there a good package to use for it? Edit: I should mention that I'm having trouble using instructions (which are not always consistent) that I'm finding on Google.
  50. M

    LaTeX How to generate a .cls file in latex?

    hey pf! i was wondering if any of you knew how to generate a .cls file in latex? in other words, what typeset do i select. for example, some i have now are LaTex, Plain Tex, XeLaTex... i'm using TexShop thanks! josh
Back
Top