What do you use to write formulas here in Physics Forum?

  • #1
yungman
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I was here over 10yrs ago, at the time, I use LaTex. You still using that today or there's something new?

I am encouraging my grand daughter to come to this forum as she's going to college soon. I don't want to tell her to learn the wrong thing as it's been over 10yrs already.

Thanks

Alan
 
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  • #2
LaTeX.
The "LaTeX Guide" is still in the bottom left corner of the reply window.
 
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  • #3
It is actually MathJax and has some differences from ordinary LaTeX. E.g. we do not have all libraries, hence not all possible symbols, and we cannot add them, and the main difference is that we use ## as inline LaTeX tags instead of $. LaTeX is basically a compiler, and the web-communication needs an interpreter.
 
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  • #4
I tend not to use LaTex, but I really should,

Thanks
Bill
 
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  • #5
bhobba said:
I tend not to use LaTex, but I really should,

Thanks
Bill
I use AutoHotKey and laid a few dozen shortcuts on my keyboard. No accidental Shift Lock anymore, no accidental turning Num Lock off, and yes, many shortcuts for LaTeX. \left. \dfrac{d}{d}\right|_{} or \begin{pmatrix}\end{pmatrix} or \begin{align*}

\end{align*}
are available by Alt+u, Alt+m, and Alt+i. \langle \rangle is Ctrl+y. Just make sure not to overwrite the usual necessities like Ctrl+c or Ctrl+a. I can write Latex almost as fast as ordinary text with my little helpers.
 
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  • #6
LLMs can easily convert text equations to latex, for example with Bard:
1697554362273.png

or:
$$\begin{align*}\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t} + \nabla \cdot (\rho \mathbf{u}) &= 0, \\\rho \frac{\partial \mathbf{u}}{\partial t} + \rho (\mathbf{u} \cdot \nabla) \mathbf{u} &= -\nabla p + \nabla \cdot \mathbf{T} + \rho \mathbf{g},\end{align*}$$
 
  • #7
bhobba said:
I tend not to use LaTex, but I really should,
Yes, and especially so in Insights articles.
 
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Related to What do you use to write formulas here in Physics Forum?

What software or tool do you use to write formulas in Physics Forum?

We primarily use LaTeX, a typesetting system that's widely used for mathematical and scientific documents. It's highly efficient for writing complex equations and formulas.

How do I start writing a formula using LaTeX on the forum?

To write a formula, you typically enclose your LaTeX code within delimiters. For inline formulas, you use single dollar signs like this: $ your_formula_here $. For display-style formulas, you use double dollar signs: $$ your_formula_here $$.

Can I use LaTeX for both simple and complex equations?

Yes, LaTeX is versatile and can handle everything from simple arithmetic to complex integrals, matrices, and differential equations. Its extensive library of symbols and commands makes it ideal for a wide range of mathematical expressions.

Are there any resources to help me learn LaTeX for writing formulas?

Absolutely. There are many online resources, including tutorials and documentation. Websites like Overleaf, ShareLaTeX, and even the official LaTeX project website offer comprehensive guides and examples.

What should I do if my LaTeX code isn't rendering correctly on the forum?

If your LaTeX code isn't rendering properly, double-check for syntax errors or missing delimiters. You can also consult the forum's help section or ask for assistance from other members who are experienced with LaTeX.

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