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What is Rendering mathematical expressions?
Rendering mathematical expressions in LaTeX involves using LaTeX syntax to write mathematical equations, symbols and formulas. LaTeX provides a comprehensive set of commands and notation to create complex mathematical expressions with precision and clarity.
Importance of LaTeX for Mathematics
Precision and Clarity − LaTeX allows precise typesetting of mathematical notation and symbols.
Consistency − Maintains consistency in formatting across mathematical documents.
Publication-Quality − Produces high-quality mathematical expressions suitable for academic and scientific publications.
LaTeX”s support for mathematical typesetting makes it a preferred choice for researchers, mathematicians, scientists and academics when writing technical or mathematical documents that require accurate and well-formatted mathematical notation.
LaTeX for Mathematical Expressions
The below are the components of LaTex in Mathematical Expressions.
Inline Math Mode
Inline math mode in LaTeX is used to include mathematical expressions within the text of a document.
We can use inline math mode by enclosing the mathematical expression between a pair of single dollar signs $…$.
Using the inline math mode
In this example the mathematical expression `frac{-b pm sqrt{b^2 – 4ac}}{2a}` is included within the text using inline math mode. The result is that the mathematical expression is rendered within the line of text.
Example
The quadratic formula is given by $x = frac{-b pm sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$.
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
Display Math Mode
Display math mode in LaTeX is used to showcase mathematical expressions in a separate block, centered and distinct from the surrounding text. It”s commonly used for larger or standalone equations that deserve prominence in a document.
To use display math mode in LaTeX we have several options let’s see them one by one.
Double Dollar Sign `$$…$$`
Enclose the mathematical expression between $$ symbols for displayed equations.
Example
In this example we are displaying the given input equation by using the $$..$$.
$$ f(x) = int_{a}^{b} g(x) , dx $$
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
‘equation’ Environment
Use the `equation` environment to create a numbered equation.
Example
begin{equation} f(x) = int_{a}^{b} g(x) , dx end{equation}
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
Symbols and Operators
In LaTeX we can use a wide range of symbols and operators to represent mathematical notation, expressions and operations. Here are some commonly used symbols and operators along with their LaTeX commands.
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Greek Letters − Alpha: `alpha`, Beta: `beta`, Gamma: `gamma`, Delta: `delta` and so on.
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Arithmetic Operators − Plus: `+`, Minus: `-`, Multiplication: `times` or `*`, Division: `div` or `/`
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Relations and Comparisons − Equals: `=`, Not equals: `neq`, Less than: `<`, Greater than: `>` and so on.
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Set Theory − Union: `cup`, Intersection: `cap`, Subset: `subset`, Superset: `supset` and so on
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Calculus and Limits − Integral: `int`, Summation: `sum`, Limit: `lim`, Derivative: `frac{dy}{dx}`
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Functions − Sine: `sin`, Cosine: `cos`, Tangent: `tan`, Logarithm: `log`, Exponential: `exp`
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Roots and Exponents − Square root: `sqrt{x}`, Exponent: `x^2`, Subscript: `x_1`, Superscript: `x^i`
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Other Notations
Fractions − `frac{numerator}{denominator}`
Matrices − `bmatrix`, `pmatrix`, `vmatrix`, etc., using the `amsmath` package
Special Symbols − For example, `infty` for infinity, `emptyset` for an empty set, etc.
Example
In this example we are using the $$..$$, to display the symbols and operators in the LaTex of matplotlib library.
$$(alpha + beta = gamma times delta)$$
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
By utilizing these LaTeX commands for symbols and operators we can create complex mathematical expressions with precision and clarity in our LaTeX documents.
Fraction and Subscript/Superscript
In LaTeX we can easily create fractions, subscripts and superscripts to represent mathematical expressions using specific commands and notation.
Fractions
To create fractions we can use the `frac{numerator}{denominator}` command.
Example
In this example we are creating the fraction ¾.
The fraction is $frac{3}{4}$.
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
Subscripts and Superscripts
Subscripts and superscripts can be added using the ‘_’ for subscripts and ‘^’ for superscripts.
Example
In this example we are displaying a script content.
$x_i^2$ denotes $x$ raised to the power of $i$ squared.
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
Nested Subscripts and Superscripts
We can also nest subscripts and superscripts by enclosing the content in curly braces {}.
Example
In this example we are displaying the nested subscripts.
$x_{i_j}^{2k}$ represents a nested subscript and superscript.
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
Using Commands
For more complex expressions or to ensure consistent formatting we can use commands such as subscript{} and superscript{} provided by packages like fixltx2e.
Example
In this example we are displaying the complex expressions.
$x subscript{i} superscript{2}$
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
LaTeX offers straightforward ways to create fractions, subscripts and superscripts, allowing us to represent mathematical expressions accurately and efficiently.
Matrices and Arrays
In LaTeX matrices and arrays are used to represent data in matrix form or to display sets of equations. The array environment is the basic structure for creating matrices and arrays in LaTeX while the matrix environments provided by the amsmath package offer additional functionality and easier syntax for matrices.
Creating Matrices and Arrays
Here are we are creating the arrays and matrices using respective environments.
Using ‘array’ Environment
The ‘array’ environment allows us to create matrices or arrays in LaTeX.
Example
[ begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 2 & 3 \ 4 & 5 & 6 \ 7 & 8 & 9 \ end{array} ]
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
Using ‘amsmath’ Package”s ‘matrix’ Environments
The amsmath package provides convenient matrix environments such as matrix, pmatrix, bmatrix, Bmatrix, vmatrix, Vmatrix which simplify the creation of matrices.
Example
[ begin{matrix} 1 & 2 & 3 \ 4 & 5 & 6 \ 7 & 8 & 9 \ end{matrix} ]
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
Matrix Formatting
Here are going to align the columns of the matrix using the LaTex. In matrices or arrays we can specify column alignment using c for centered, l for left-aligned and r for right-aligned columns within the array environment.
The below is the example of applying the column alignment on a matrix.
Example
[ begin{array}{ccc} 1 & 222 & 3 \ 4 & 55555 & 6 \ 7 & 888 & 999999 \ end{array} ]
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
Additional Notes
- Matrices and arrays in LaTeX are enclosed within the [ … ] or equation environment to display them as standalone equations.
- The & symbol separates elements within a row and \ starts a new row.
LaTeX provides versatile tools for displaying matrices and arrays allowing us to represent mathematical data or equations in matrix form with various alignments and configurations. LaTeX enables the creation of matrices and arrays for mathematical notation.
Example
begin{bmatrix} 1 & 2 \ 3 & 4 end{bmatrix}
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
Special Functions
LaTeX supports notation for special functions like trigonometric functions, logarithms, etc.
Example
$$ sin(theta), log(x), lim_{x to infty} f(x) $$ Example of LaTeX Mathematical Expressions:
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
Remove random unwanted space in LaTeX-style maths
LaTeX ignores the spaces you type and uses spacing the way it”s done in mathematics texts. You can use the following four commands in case you want a different spacing style
- ; − thick space
- : − medium space
- , − a thin space
- ! − a negative thin space
To remove random unwanted space in LaTeX-style maths in matplotlib plot we can use “!” which will reduce the extra spacing.
The below is the example of applying the column alignment on a matrix.
Example
from matplotlib import pyplot as plt plt.rcParams["figure.figsize"] = [7.00, 3.50] plt.rcParams["figure.autolayout"] = True plt.subplot(211) plt.text(0.4, 0.4, r''$sum_{n=1}^{infty}; frac{-e^{ipi}}{2^n}!left[a^2+delta ^2- frac{pi}{2} right ]$'', fontsize=16, color=''r'') plt.title("With thick space") plt.subplot(212) plt.text(0.4, 0.4, r''$sum_{n=1}^{infty}! frac{-e^{ipi}}{2^n}!left[a^2+delta ^2- frac{pi}{2} right ]$'', fontsize=16, color=''r'') plt.title("With thin space") plt.show()
Output
On executing the above code you will get the following output −
Notice the difference in spacing after the “Σ (sigma)” symbol. In the first case, we have used thick space (;) and in the second case, we have used the thin space (!) to reduce extra spacing.
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