Some Latex Commands

soroban

Math Team
In case the Latex tutorial doesn't have a list of commands,
here are some of my favorites.

$$\displaystyle \begin{array}{cc} \backslash\text{pi} & \pi \\ \backslash\text{phi} & \phi \\ \backslash\text{equiv} & \equiv \\ \backslash\text{approx} & \approx \\ \backslash\text{perp} & \perp \\ \backslash\text{parallel} & \parallel \\ \backslash\text{cdots} & \cdots \\ \backslash\text{vdots} & \vdots \\ \backslash\text{circ} & \circ \\ \backslash\text{bullet} & \bullet \end{array}$$$$\displaystyle \begin{array}{cc} \backslash\text{emptyset} & \emptyset \\ \backslash\text{cup} & \cup \\ \backslash\text{cap} & \cap \\ \backslash\text{subset} & \subset \\ \backslash\text{supset} & \supset \\ \backslash\text{vee} & \vee \\ \backslash\text{wedge} & \wedge \\ \backslash\text{flat} & \flat \\ \backslash\text{sharp} & \sharp \\ \backslash\text{natural} & \natural \end{array}$$$$\displaystyle \begin{array}{cc} \backslash\tex{langle} & \langle \\ \backslash\text{rangle} & \rangle \\ \backslash\text{in} & \in \\ \backslash\text{sim} & \sim \\ \backslash\text{to} & \to \\ \backslash\text{boxdot} & \boxdot \\ \backslash\text{uparrow} & \uparrow \\ \backslash\text{rightarrow} & \rightarrow \\ \backslash\text{downarrow} & \downarrow \\ \backslash\text{leftarrow} & \leftarrow \end{array}$$$$\displaystyle \begin{array}{cc} \backslash\text{s{q}rt\{3x\}} && \sqrt{3x} \\ \\ \backslash\text{frac\{2x\}\{3y\}} && \frac{2x}{3y} \\ \\ \\ \{\text{9 choose 3}\} && {9\choose3} \\ \\ \\ \backslash\text{overline\{AB\} } && \overline{AB} \\ \backslash\text{vec\{AB\}} && \vec{AB} \\ \backslash\text{hat\{AB\}} && \hat{AB} \\ \\ \backslash\text{cancel\{3ab\}} && \cancel{3ab} \end{array}$$

2 people

MarkFL

Instead of {9 \choose 3} I've been using \binom{9}{3} and for \overline{x} I use \bar{x}.

I wrote yours on the left and mine on the right:

$$\displaystyle {9 \choose 3}=\binom{9}{3}$$

I prefer the output on the left!

$$\displaystyle \overline{x}=\bar{x}$$

These look the same.

Another one I use is \therefore $$\displaystyle \therefore$$

I prefer exponents to be smaller using the \tiny{x} and \small{x} commands:

\sin^{\tiny{-1}}(x): $$\displaystyle \sin^{\tiny{-1}}(x)$$

\sin^{\small{-1}}(x): $$\displaystyle \sin^{\small{-1}}(x)$$

\sin^{-1}(x): $$\displaystyle \sin^{-1}(x)$$

However, sometimes and seemingly arbitrarily, this makes the rest of the expression smaller too, and I can't figure out why! :?

Also, when enclosing a "tall" expression within parentheses (and other bracketing symbols), it doesn't look good with:

(\frac{3x^2}{2y^3}): $$\displaystyle (\frac{3x^2}{2y^3})$$

However, some sites will suggest:

\left(\frac{3x^2}{2y^3}\right): $$\displaystyle \left(\frac{3x^2}{2y^3}\right)$$

But, I've found an alternative (I notice others use it as well) that I prefer:

$$\frac{3x^2}{2y^3}$$: $$\displaystyle \(\frac{3x^2}{2y^3}$$\) (Notice it is almost as tall as the preceding, but not as dark)

However, I've noticed when the expression is quite long, this shortcut doesn't always work, so then I put in the "left" and "right" and it works, although the bracketing symbols sometimes appear too dark or heavy. :?

I use the \text{} command for units:

3\text{ km}: $$\displaystyle 3\text{ km}$$

a = 3.4\text{ \frac{m}{s^2}}: $$\displaystyle a = 3.4\text{ \frac{m}{s^2}}$$

soroban, I would be interesting in hearing about your use of spacing and alignment! 8)

Erimess

MarkFL said:
Also, when enclosing a "tall" expression within parentheses (and other bracketing symbols), it doesn't look good with:

(\frac{3x^2}{2y^3}): $$\displaystyle (\frac{3x^2}{2y^3})$$

However, some sites will suggest:

\left(\frac{3x^2}{2y^3}\right): $$\displaystyle \left(\frac{3x^2}{2y^3}\right)$$

But, I've found an alternative (I notice others use it as well) that I prefer:

$$\frac{3x^2}{2y^3}$$: $$\displaystyle \(\frac{3x^2}{2y^3}$$\) (Notice it is almost as tall as the preceding, but not as dark)

However, I've noticed when the expression is quite long, this shortcut doesn't always work, so then I put in the "left" and "right" and it works, although the bracketing symbols sometimes appear too dark or heavy.
I was gonna say, I saw you do this and I tried it and it didn't work. What is "quite long"? I use a backslash-space to making spacings between things a lot, and a lone \ almost makes me think of a space, so knowing me, I'd get confused. :lol:

MarkFL

Erimess said:
...
What is "quite long"?...
I usually run into it when evaluating definite integrals and let the latex stretch across the screen to the point where those with older CRT displays with 4:3 ratio truncate the text...about 61 characters of regular text in width.

I just always use the preview option to make sure everything looks right, and if it doesn't, then I scramble to make it right, whatever I have to do. :lol:

1 person

Erimess

Hmm, I don't think I've done any "tall" stuff (in my case, just fractions) that were that big, but it still didn't work. But I have trouble with \cdot sometimes too - I think especially when there's parenthesis or fractions involved. I forget cause I tend to avoid it.

And yes, I preview everything. No way would I ever trust everything came out right. In fact, 95% of the time I manage to screw up at least one thing. :lol:

MarkFL

Erimess said:
...In fact, 95% of the time I manage to screw up at least one thing. :lol:
Me too! :lol:

I use the preview after just about every line so that I don't have a whole page of errors to correct at once! :mrgreen:

filipd

Now when there is LaTeX thread, how do you insert new lines in text or expression?

Stupid_man

^ I wonder that too. Also, how do you make it aligned? \begin{aligned} ... \end{aligned} didn't work for me earlier.

greg1313

Forum Staff
\begin{align*} . . . &= . . . \\ . . . &= . . . \end{align*}

\displaystyle \begin{align*} . . . &= . . . \\ . . . &= . . . \end{align*}

Stupid_man

greg1313 said:
\begin{align*} . . . &= . . . \\ . . . &= . . . \end{align*}

\displaystyle \begin{align*} . . . &= . . . \\ . . . &= . . . \end{align*}
Yep, that works! Thank you!